Does one have to be born into NASCAR/Indy racing (like Petty or Unser) OR can you just earn your way in?
93733
You can earn your way in, as there are several levels of racing going all the way down to go-carts. As you prove yourself at different levels, you move up and, if you're good enough, will get noticed. Having a family in the sport can expidite the process though, as you already have connections to the people making decisions.
1026605
Actually, a lot of the drivers aren't from NASCAR families. A few of the biggest names in the Cup aren't family drivers. Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart are not from NASCAR families. There are too many to name.
120727
There are schools that you can go to. The skip barber Race School, has "classes" at different race tracks around the country. best bet is to go to a track day, the instructors can help you along.\n i think you have to be at least 18 in some forms of motorsport. i think there were three guys last year who where younger though who did a race in SCCA Speed World Challenge
260118
My brother went to the Dale Jarret racing school and ended up with a part-time job. check out there web site\ndalejarretracing.com
874829
Steve Kinser - he may not be able to drive an Indy Car or a Stock Car, but that 'Boy' can sure drive a Sprint Car !!     He's just amazing to watch.
747455
try nascar.com or richard petty driving experience.com
669605
Here's my advice, do what really makes you happy. The stars can't define who you are. If you really want something go after it, because most of the time if its what you really want, and you work hard at it, you can achieve it. I know that sounds lame, but it's true. But as racing is not  a typical profession  I would have a more stable back up, or a job that you could do on the side. Just do something that makes you happy.
948611
Sorry to say I do not know that, but I dare to guess that it is different for different races. Not that I am a big fan or anything but I was watching a show the other day and the racer said you could win the championship without ever winning a race.
520023
Most WRC drivers start with karting then move on to local rallies. In the WRC there are many divisions you can join before moving to the World Championships. There's the Junior WRC and the PWRC... or you could join as a privateer that is if you've got the funding...
739452
The easiest way to become a Nascar driver is to find the nearest short track under a Nascar sanction, buy or build a street stock or a 4 cylinder mini-stock, buy your Nascar License, and go racing. Now you are an officially licensed Nascar driver. There are thousands of them all across America. Now, if you want to get into the top three divisions, that will take money, time, talent, money, luck, and a little money. Lots of great short track drivers have awesome careers and never go near a Nascar event.
1090320
Start at your local racetrack, find local businesses who are interested in sponsoring a team.But the most important thing is to find someone who will show you the ropes, go to a driving school, but a lot of the drivers started from the ground up, go-carts, modifieds, etc. Find a machine shop or some business that deals in race parts.But the thing is to get your face and name out there to be recognized, because with most things, it's WHO you know as well as your talent.You can be the greatest racer, but have no personality and you have to SELL,SELL,SELL!
82442
There are usually local shops that build race cars. ask someone that races at a local track who built there car, chances are that a local shop did.
714538
Well, if you start in karts at around six or seven and move up through the different formulae such as the Star Mazda Series, Formula Ford, Formula 2000, Formula Atlantic, Formula Three, maybe A1GP and GP2, you might make it to Formula One and the chances are you would be anywhere from 19 to 22 at this stage.\nTeams are usually looking for a driver with a lot of talent and, unless you are really fortunate enough to attract a sponsor, you will have spent a lot of your own or your family's money in those lower formulae. Some teens in competitive karting have budgets in the $25,000 range. \nSponsors are usually looking for someone who can get them exposure for their product.\nThere are Japanese drivers in F1 (not a huge amount of them) because there is a lot of racing in Japan at the lower levels and almost all of the better ones move to England at some stage or other to race in ultra competitive series' such as Formula 2000 and Formula Three, so you are incorrect is suggesting they `have very little racing experience.' Not surprisingly Japanese sponsors often want Japanese drivers with teams they either own or sponsor heavily.\nThere are few black drivers in any form of racing, including karting. Californian Willy T. Ribbs is probably the most successful black open-wheel racer. He moved to England for awhile when he was young and actually raced against Ayrton Senna in a Formula Ford series. He was successful in Formula Atlantic cars, but had only limited success in the CART series. Sadly, he is known for being involved in a fatal accident at the first Vancouver Molson Indy, one that killed a track marshal. I really don't think Willy ever aspired to be an F1 driver.\nThere is a real chance that we will see the first black driver in F1 next year, if Ron Dennis decides to put his protégé, Lewis Hamilton, in one of his McLaren cars.
1069428
Not quite sure what you are asking here.. Are we talking about a fantasty race of all the pasts, if it were possible to put themall on the track together?? If so you listed some good ones..but I would have to add Tony Stewart, Fireball Roberts, Petty's (well at least Lee and Adam.even thought he never made full time cup), DW, Cale Yarbrough, Geoffrey Bodine.\n\nmmm okay, i'm probaby missing some great ones, but there's a quick list of a few i'd like to see in addition to the ones you listed..
184007
http://www.employment.nascar.com/\n...and just work your way up
465287
It depends on what level you are competing on. You will need money either from a family business or other income. Alternatively, you will need someone with a solid track record to attract support from sponsors. You will also need to ensure members of the team are capable of performing their roles and aren't there simply because they related to you. Motor sport is an unforgiving business. Good luck to you.
1000182
I understand what your saying. I enjoy stock car racing and would love to start (I'm only 16) but I know how pricey it could get and want to do it on my own with a little help from my mom. I'd suggest sitting down with your parents and seriously talk to them about this. Ask them if you could get a job to help pay for some of the expenses (if you feel you could work) and go from there. I keep hearing it's better to start young. So I wish you luck and hope you achieve what you want. Oh and don't ever stop believing in yourself-whether you start know or 10 years from now at least you'll know you tried!