A driver for the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) competes in NASCAR races all over the United States (US) and other countries for financial rewards and endorsements. NASCAR drivers must be able to drive a stock car for long periods of time while traveling at speeds exceeding 100 miles per hour (mph) (over 160 kilometers per hour or kph). The drivers also assume a risk due to the possibility of an accident involving one or more vehicles during any race. Multiple drivers have died in NASCAR races over the years, so a driver must be willing to face that very real danger and remain calm in life-threatening situations.
The majority of NASCAR’s major stock car race tracks will allow drivers to maintain average speeds of 100 mph or higher during the various cup races (over 160 kph). During a race, top speeds at Talladega Superspeedway have topped 212 mph (more than 340 kph). A NASCAR driver must be able to maintain control and think quickly at such high speeds. When traveling at such high speeds, even the tiniest mistake or lapse in judgment can result in a serious accident resulting in serious injury. To be a NASCAR driver, you must have the mental and physical stamina to drive at such high speeds for long periods of time while remaining focused.
Winning a high-ranking NASCAR Cup race can earn you some cash, especially if you finish in the top five or ten. However, the prize money offered is usually insufficient to cover all of the necessary racing expenses, and not everyone who races will receive a sufficient portion of the prize money. Most NASCAR drivers will find a major corporation or a small business to help sponsor them and their team in order to fund the high costs of professional stock car racing.
Obtaining and maintaining sponsorship is almost as important to a NASCAR driver’s job as driving the car itself. A racer would usually be unable to pay for maintenance and entry fees to compete in the major cup series without the support of various companies. Such companies’ logos or names are frequently displayed on a racer’s car and uniform, with varying degrees of prominence. A NASCAR driver who establishes a solid reputation will often be able to join a racing team and earn a yearly salary that includes bonuses for winning or placing in major races.