Evolution of Speed

The roots and growth of American auto racing

This area provides you with background on the development of auto racing in the United States, and the six primary types that exist today – NASCAR stock car racing, drag racing, Indy car, sprint car, sports car road-racing, and land-speed record runs.

Auto racing was born of the natural human inclination for competition. In the auto industry’s formative years, as builders vied to prove their products were superior to others, the sport of racing generated innovative and technical advances in an exciting, highly visible environment.

Over the years, racing has evolved with the automobile, but its essence is unchanged – still a hotbed of competition-bred innovation.

Experience highlights include the first American auto race, the Times Herald race through Chicago in 1895; Henry Ford’s first race car, Sweepstakes of 1901; and Old 16, the first American car to win the Vanderbilt Cup in 1908.