Includes bibliographical references and index.

The first organized meeting of NASCAR -- NASCAR's first official season -- The strictly stock division is born -- NASCAR hits the road -- NASCAR goes international -- An instant classic: the first Daytona 500 -- Speed it up: NASCAR's first pit crew -- The drivers get organized -- A test of endurance: the first World 600 -- The first African-American winner -- The first ladies of NASCAR -- The first Rookie of The Year Award winner -- Blistering fast: the first 200 miles per hour qualifying lap -- The first live flag-to-flag television coverage of the Daytona 500 -- The king meets a president -- The first All-Star Race -- Speeding into the night -- A day like no other: Jeff Gordon's first race -- NASCAR invades Indianapolis -- The first use of roof flaps -- Let's go trucking -- Finally first: Dale Earnhardt wins the Daytona 500 -- The first four generation family: the Pettys -- NASCAR gets safer -- Chasing the championship -- Five-for-five: Jimmie Johnson's five straight championships -- Such class: NASCAR's first Hall of Fame class -- The first Winner-Take-All Championship Race.