Today, NASCAR is a racing organisation that operates and runs over 1,500 individual races and events across the United States every year. Headquartered in Florida, with offices in North Carolina as well, NASCAR is a vast spectator sport in the United States that hosts various leagues and event series throughout the year.
Known often by its full title of the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, NASCAR was founded way back in 1948 and is still going strong today. But what exactly is the deal with the left turn, and what’s the historical context behind this tradition in NASCAR racing?
The History of NASCAR
NASCAR was born from the prohibition era, when drivers would modify their cars so as to be able to transport alcohol and outrun police vehicles. NASCAR was then formalised as a racing sport in 1948, creating a legacy which lives on today.
And interestingly, it’s the layout of these early races that created the legacy of “always turn left” in NASCAR driving strategy.
Because tracks tended to be circular in design, and because NASCAR always works on a counterclockwise run, drivers only needed to be able to turn left when racing – hence the rise of the “turn left” strategy in NASCAR.
And while modern NASCAR vehicles are designed to handle both left and right turns with equal ease and precision, the historical legacy of early races and the continuation of these traditions in track design and formatting, has remained.
How the “Turn Left” Strategy Informs NASCAR Design
If you were to look at a modern NASCAR vehicle, you would note that both the left and right turn capabilities are balanced – optimising performance and handling.
However, there are some modifications that are designed to support the counterclockwise design of NASCAR tracks. The most notable is the actual structure of the vehicle, which sits lower on the left side so as to hug the track when turning left. The aerodynamics of the vehicles and their balance are also geared towards ensuring the most efficient turning angle on a counterclockwise track, slicing milliseconds off the total race time.
With all that in mind then, what are the lasting benefits of the counterclockwise track that’s renowned for its left turns?
Are There Any Benefits to a Race Track with Left Turns Only?
In actual fact, there are benefits to both the track owners and the drivers!
For track owners, the maintenance of a track that only requires left hand turns is much more manageable than one that requires both left and right hand turns.
For drivers, the predictability of turning left means that they can channel all their strategy into controlling the corners with precision and speed – perfecting their technique without worrying about unexpected challenges and obstacles.
More than all of that, though, the left turn in NASCAR is a tradition and a cultural legacy that fans of the sport have come to know and love. It makes NASCAR unique and has become a recognisable trait that fans and NASCAR enthusiasts expect. Whether this changes and develops in the future remains to be seen, particularly as vehicles become more capable and streamlined in their design – but for now, that’s the history and prominence of the left turn on a NASCAR track!
