NASCAR Shakes Up California Labor Day Weekend

Introduction to NASCAR

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Aug. 30 -- The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the second most-popular spectator sport in the U.S. as well as the premier stock car racing series in the world. NASCAR operates three national series: the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR Busch Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, NASCAR's premier division, consists of 36 races between February and November, and two all-star events.

Each week 43 drivers compete to win the race and collect points for the series championship. Throughout the season, drivers accumulate points based on their finish in each race. With 10 races remaining in the season, the top 10 drivers, and any other driver within 400 points of the standings' leader, will compete in the "Chase for the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup." The new Chase format gives more drivers than ever the opportunity to compete for the championship down the stretch.

Although the most visible, the driver is not the only member of a NASCAR team. The crew chief is the leader of the race team who oversees the building and fine-tuning of the race car, and decides when the car will make a pit stop. During a pit stop, seven crew members are allowed to go over the pit wall and service the car. During an average pit stop, these crew members change all four tires and fill the 22-gallon fuel tank in 13-15 seconds. Everybody must perform their job precisely, and as a team, to ensure a successful finish.

Over the course of a NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series season, races are held at 23 different race tracks in 19 states. This weekend, the field tries to tackle California Speedway, a two-mile track in Fontana. The NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series Pop Secret 500 can be seen Sunday at 4:00 PM PST on NBC. The NASCAR Busch Series Target House 300 airs Saturday at 12:00 PM PST on NBC.