The first auto race in the United States took place on Thanksgiving Day in 1895 in Chicago. Six cars raced for over 10 hours on a 54 mile course, averaging less than 10 miles per hour. Auto racing gained popularity in the early 20th century, with dirt track racing becoming widespread in the 1920s and 1930s. Major auto racing organizations like NASCAR and NHRA were founded from the 1940s onward, shaping the growth of American stock car racing and establishing Thanksgiving as a traditional time not just for food and football, but also the roots of auto racing in the U.S.

1. Infographic presented by:
TURKEYS & TESTOSTERONE
How American Auto Racing Got its Roots
When people think of Thanksgiving, the first thing that comes to mind is family gatherings, obscene quantities of
food and football. While the first Thanksgiving took place in 1621 at Plymouth Rock, the 1st auto race in the USA took
place on Thanksgiving Day, 1895; the Chicago Times-Herald Race. Six contestants took on the 54 mile course, racing
for over 10 hours with a blistering average speed of less than 10 MPH. Racing was born.
Nov. 28,
1895
THANKSGIVING DAY
First Auto Race in the USA
1930s
Drag Racing grows
in popularity
1901
February 21, 1948
NASCAR was
founded
1920
First automobile race on a
racetrack at Knoxville
Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa.
1948
In Post-World War 1, Dirt track
racing became widespread
during the 1920s and 30s
founded
1951
National Hot Rod
Association
1950s
June 19, 1949
Demolition derbies were first
held at various fairs, race
tracks, and speedways
The first NASCAR “strictly stock”
race was held at Daytona
Beach, Florida.
1965
NASCAR
modifications
now allowed
1970
Sept. 30, 1970
Last NASCAR race
on dirt track
1970s
Nov. 18, 1963
Can-Am series was born, based in
Canada & the USA. The Series
featured engines that produced
speeds over 200 mph
Kennedy pardons the first turkey at
the White House, ensuring that it
will spend the duration of its life
roaming freely on farmland.
2000+
November 2013
President Obama holds up the
tradition of the “National
Thanksgiving Turkey Presentation,” by giving the turkey a
Presidential pardon.
NASCAR remains one of
the most popular sports
in America
1999
1996
American Le Mans
Series ran it’s first
season
IndyCar Series’
splits from
CART
SOURCES
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_Times-Herald_race
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Auto_racing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dirt_speedway_racing
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Demolition_derby
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sports_car_racing
http://www.history.com/topics/thanksgiving
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/11/21/obama-turkey-pardon-2012_n_2170655.html
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