July 17, 2010
By Brenda Benedict
Do you have a favorite NASCAR race?
Maybe it's the first one you attended or possibly your favorite driver won his first victory at a certain track.
I am always looking for ways to become more knowledgeable about great races from the past. I'd like to learn more about the history of NASCAR. I admit it. Compared to many NASCAR fans that I know, I'm just a relative newcomer. I follow the sport closely but there are many holes in what I know about NASCAR's past.
The publicity surrounding the Hall of Fame Induction in May was great fun because of the many stories about NASCAR's beginnings that were told. I heard Junior Johnson tell stories in a press conference at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It was like we were sitting around sipping some beverages. Johnson could spin the tales of his escapades and experiences as a driver and an owner. But it made me realize that I wanted to know more about those early drivers and races.
I always envy those who know this history. I don't always have the entire back story of today's events. I often call my brother to fill me in on how it was in the 'glory days' that we so often hear about. But I may have found a partial remedy for my problem.
This week NASCAR released several classic races and stories of great drivers on iTunes. I jumped at the chance to purchase them in an attempt to fill in the missing links to my understanding of NASCAR.
Classic Races Volume 1 contains seven episodes that you can purchase individually for $1.99 each or the entire set for 7.99. If you don't have iTunes, you can download it for free at www.apple.com/itunes.
I bought the complete set.
NASCAR stated that they are exploring a number of platforms to make this historical content available to fans. So someday we may have them on YouTube or something similar but you can bet that NASCAR will be charging for their content.
Here is NASCAR's description of the content made available this week.
- “The Junior Johnson Story” – Previously only available on DVD, this one-hour episode documents the ascent of a NASCAR pioneer from moonshiner to legendary race car driver and owner.
- “Richard Petty: 7 Wins at the Daytona 500” – Previously only available on DVD, this 4.5 hour episode pays tribute to the man known as The King by reliving his record seven victories in the Great American Race.
- 1998 Daytona 500 – After 20 years of trying, Earnhardt finally breaks through to win the Daytona 500.
- 1999 Goody’s 500 – Earnhardt lives up to his nickname by sending Terry Labonte spinning on the last lap of the famous Bristol night race.
- 2000 Winston 500 – Earnhardt charges through the pack at Talladega Superspeedway to notch the final win of his storied career.
- 1989 Southern 500 – Earnhardt outduels rival Darrell Waltrip to take the checkered flag at Darlington Raceway.
- 1984 Talladega 500 – Earnhardt wins for the first time in the No. 3 car that will forever be remembered as the Intimidator’s number.
“Our fans have loved our weekly ‘Race Rewind’ episodes on iTunes for much of the last four years. Now we are offering our fans a unique look back at some of the greatest races of all-time, the biggest legends of our sport and most historical moments ever captured on the racetrack,” was the official word from NASCAR.
But I have found the content to be worth the price and I'm enjoying some good racing right on my iPod.
Maybe next week I'll write about those former announcers. I think I like them better than some of what we hear today.
You can follow me at Twitter @nascarfaithful
The thoughts and ideas expressed by this writer or any other writer on Insider Racing News, are not necessarily the views of the staff and/or management of IRN.
