The Role of Driver Experience in Predicting the Outcome of NASCAR Races: An Empirical Analysis (Report‪)‬

Introduction NASCAR is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. It generates 3 billion dollars a year in GDP and adds new fans to its loyal fan base each year. The academic study of NASCAR is in its infancy, and this paper seeks to add to that small but growing body of literature. The origins of NASCAR reach back to the days of prohibition, when the cars used by bootleggers needed speed while making delivery runs to avoid the authorities in pursuit. More horsepower was needed, and so began the quest to modify cars for more horsepower and reliability. Simultaneously, auto racing became a sport. The inaugural auto race at Daytona Beach took place on March 8, 1936 (Felden, 2005).