If you’re not immersed in the racing scene, the path to becoming a professional NASCAR driver may appear complex. We are all aware that professional American football players typically attend college to attract scouts, but there is no college-level driving program. Instead, race car drivers begin training at a young age, gaining experience in lower racing categories until they earn enough to qualify for a NASCAR license.
How exactly does one become a NASCAR driver? This is the road that the majority of competitors pursue to prepare for competition on the biggest stage.
The 6 Steps To Get A NASCAR License
NASCAR has long been a well-known and respected racing series. It has produced numerous renowned drivers, inspired innumerable films, and draws hundreds of thousands of spectators to each race.
The 6 steps to becoming a NASCAR driver are:
- Visit your neighborhood track
- Request a racing license.
- Start racing karts
- Race cars
- Visit Racing Schools.
- Register for a NASCAR license
The 6 Steps To Becoming A NASCAR Driver
1. Visit Your Local Racetrack
This may appear to be an unimportant step, but it is crucial. If the track is a NASCAR-Home track, it is much better because you may submit your final NASCAR license application there. If possible, purchase a pit pass. The pit pass will grant you behind-the-scenes access and allow you to converse with and meet additional motorsports enthusiasts. Networking is vital in racing, so the more people you can meet, the better.
Being behind the scenes at a NASCAR race will give you a solid concept of how everything operates and what to expect once you begin racing. It will be on a much smaller scale but observe what the drivers do and how they behave when they are not behind the wheel. Alternatively, it will be a fantastic experience! You might meet someone who can expedite your entry onto the grid or sponsor you once you reach NASCAR. Always maintain an open mind while meeting new people, particularly those that attend races.
Determine if your local circuit has karting facilities; if it does, you must begin karting first. Karting is the starting point for all racing drivers, including NASCAR racers. It is required if you wish to begin in motorsport.
2. Apply For A Racing License
You should participate in the various NASCAR series levels. To advance all the way to the Sprint Cup Series will require diligent effort. Do not forget that if you want to be noticed, you must give your full devotion. Reaching the Sprint Cup Series will help you achieve legendary status. However, not making it does not mean you cannot enjoy yourself. You should just possess the desire to study. Education 4 Drivers is a professional driver school, thus if you’re interested in becoming a NASCAR driver, consider only professional driver schools such as this one.
3. Start Racing Karts
Karting is the least expensive motorsport. Because of this, it is typically the first step racing drivers take into the world of motorsport. Despite this, karting can still be a very expensive activity or pastime, so make sure you are prepared for all the fees associated with getting started. It is a good idea to acquire sponsors early on in your racing career who will continue to support you until you graduate from racing cars. Karting is a sport with intense competition. Some drivers aspire to be professional racers, while others simply race as a hobby.
It makes little difference whether you race karts on a circuit or an oval. The most crucial aspect of karting is understanding the fundamentals of fast and competitive driving. It is also advisable to understand how to tune and adjust your kart according to your driving style. Karting can range from small local leagues to massive national and international competitions. You have a good chance of being identified as a future racing driver if you are able to compete at the national level.
It is a terrific addition to your racing resume and many top NASCAR and IndyCar teams scout karting for future drivers with significant promise. You should aim to race at major national events such as the Las Vegas Supernats if you spend several years in karting.
4. Race Cars
As vital as karting is to a driver’s development, a lack of karting experience is not a deal-breaker. If you are old enough to get directly into the automotive industry, it can still work out well for you. You will be slightly slower than drivers with karting expertise, but you can still become a superior driver and accelerate swiftly. Start your automotive job as close to home as feasible to keep expenses down. Ensure that you are competitive and that you are learning as much as possible about the vehicles and how to race them. Compared to karting, the learning curve is entirely different.
If you want to get known once you begin winning races, you must compete in a recognizable series. The more races you compete in and the more you win, the faster you can advance to more prestigious racing series. Keep in mind that the more racing experience you have (including victories and titles), the greater your chances of reaching NASCAR. Focus on the series in which you are currently competing and give it your all.
The ARCA series and the NASCAR Xfinity series are two fantastic series to move into. This is the series in which you will become increasingly visible as a driver. It is also advisable to aim to amass a large fan base before you reach these series, as this will give your profession even more attention and hype. Hailie Deegan is an excellent illustration of this. Prior to entering a famous racing series, she was already well-known in the world of motorsport.
5. Attend Racing Schools
There are also numerous racing schools that can help you improve your skills. This will also go a long way toward obtaining the required licenses to compete. The more experience you have, the more probable it is that you will be approved for any license you may require. For instance, a driver cannot compete on superspeedways at the national level without sufficient ARCA Series experience.
You should participate in the various NASCAR series levels. To advance all the way to the Sprint Cup Series will require diligent effort. Do not forget that if you want to be noticed, you must give your full devotion. Reaching the Sprint Cup Series will help you achieve legendary status. However, not making it does not mean you cannot enjoy yourself. You should just possess the desire to study. Education 4 Drivers is a professional driver school, thus if you’re interested in becoming a NASCAR driver, consider only professional driver schools such as this one.
6. Apply For Your NASCAR License
The first step in comprehending how drivers navigate the world of motor racing is to comprehend the licensing process. To begin racing an automobile, you need more than just your state driver’s license. Typically, motorsports federations use competition licenses to determine if a car window has the appropriate expertise to run a racing car safely.
Obtaining a professional NASCAR driver’s license is frequently a difficult process. NASCAR asks drivers to submit their racing resumes to demonstrate that they have the appropriate racing experience to compete safely and effectively.
Many drivers begin their racing careers in go-karts before progressing to compact automobiles, late-model vehicles, and pickup trucks. All of this experience aids NASCAR authorities in determining a driver’s eligibility for a certain division.
What is The Lower NASCAR Series?
NASCAR, like many other sports, features a premier series and multiple minor divisions that help to develop talent and grow the sport. The NASCAR Cup series is the most well-known and prestigious series in the sport (previously known as the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series.) On Sundays, the majority of racing enthusiasts tune in to watch the NASCAR Cup series, which showcases the best drivers.
The NASCAR Xfinity Series is one tier beneath the premier series. The majority of racing fans and professionals consider this series to be “small league” stock car racing. Xfinity Series events often occur at the same circuit as NASCAR Cup Series races. Typically, these minor league races occur the day before the main event.
NASCAR now offers the Camping World Truck Series, which features pickup trucks rather than traditional stock cars. Lastly, the ARCA Menards series completes NASCAR’s professional racing portfolio.
Tips & Tricks For Getting Into NASCAR
The NASCAR Sprint Cup represents the pinnacle of stock car racing. Obtaining access to the series will be difficult and expensive. It is crucial to be financially prepared for your travel. Start looking around for sponsors early on in your career, even if you are at the karting level and can afford it. The farther up the motorsports hierarchy one climbs, the more expensive it is to compete.
Concentrate on the competition you are currently facing. If you are a kart racer, it is a fantastic goal to aim to become a NASCAR driver. However, it is easy to become distracted by the dream and lose performance in the present tournament. It is essential to take your career one race at a time and give that race your all. Once you begin racing with this mentality, your results will improve, and before you know it, NASCAR will be knocking on your door.
Conclusion
The procedure for obtaining a NASCAR license can be quick and straightforward. However, the prerequisites for qualifying for a NASCAR license can take years to complete. It will require years of hard work and commitment.
Ensure that you begin modestly, remain dedicated and competitive, and climb the motorsport ladder as rapidly as possible. Maintain a constant focus on networking and meeting new individuals. Be receptive to gaining as much knowledge as possible; there is always space for development. Before you can reach NASCAR, you will have to suffer a long path of racing in the lower series. It is essential to be patient and continually challenge yourself to become the finest driver available. You must be the obvious, obvious choice for NASCAR teams to choose you.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQ) about How to Become a NASCAR Driver?
How hard is it to be a NASCAR driver?
NASCAR has transitioned from a weekend hobby to a highly demanding industry. Drivers are included in this development of professionalism. It would be difficult enough to drive hundreds of miles for hours at speeds between 160 and 200 mph (257 and 322 kilometers per hour).
How much does a NASCAR driver make?
In the United States, the salaries of Nascar drivers range from $21,364 to $577,997, with a median income of $103,858. The middle 57% of Nascar drivers earn between $103,862 and $260,376 per year, while the top 86% earn $577,997 per year.
Where do NASCAR drivers get their start?
Many NASCAR drivers begin their careers as young as four years old. As they age, they progress from go-kart racing to car racing. After gaining notice from high-level drivers, racing teams, or organizations willing to sponsor them, they can enroll in racing schools and obtain a license.
How much does it cost to be in NASCAR?
In addition to the cost of equipment and materials, every member of a NASCAR team incurs travel fees. Therefore, funds must be set aside for transportation, lodging, food, and tickets. Even for a single-car team, travel expenses might surpass $150,000 per season.
Who gets paid more F1 or NASCAR?
The highest-paid Formula 1 drivers earn significantly more than the highest-paid NASCAR drivers. Each year, many Formula 1 drivers rank among Forbes’ top 60 highest-paid athletes in the world, yet no NASCAR driver has ever reached the list.
Do NASCAR drivers keep prize money?
Generally, NASCAR drivers do not retain all of the prize money from races. The money is divided between them and the team, as well as the mechanics and other necessary staff. This means that the drivers earn a proportional share of the winnings, with the proportions differing by the team.
Do NASCAR teams pay for their tires?
Cost of NASCAR Tires ($20,000): Tires are the most expensive component of NASCAR racing; yet, most teams lease tires from Goodyear, the official supplier of tires in NASCAR. A source disclosed that each tire costs between $350 and $500, equating to a minimum investment of $20,000 every race.
How much does it cost to be a race car driver?
According to Brown, the average annual expenditure for a new racecar for frequent racers is between $60,000 and $70,000. He stated that without a new vehicle, it costs roughly $30,000 per year to race competitively.