The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, LLC (NASCAR) is an American auto racing sanctioning and operating company that is best known for stock car racing. It is considered to be one of the top ranked motorsports organizations in the world and is one of the largest spectator sports in America. The privately owned company was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1948, and his son, Jim France, has been the CEO since August 2018. The company is headquartered in Daytona Beach, Florida. Each year, NASCAR sanctions over 1,500 races at over 100 tracks in 48 US states, as well as in Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Europe.
Kerry Dale Earnhardt is a former NASCAR driver and the eldest son of seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Dale Earnhardt. He is the half-brother of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kelley Earnhardt Miller. He was employed by Dale Earnhardt, Inc. as a consultant specializing in driver development until 2011. His younger son, Jeffrey Earnhardt, began racing for DEI in 2007 and currently competes in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. Kerry Earnhardt is known for his physical similarity to his father.
Kyle Eugene Petty is an American former stock car racing driver and current racing commentator. He is the son of racer Richard Petty, grandson of racer Lee Petty, and father of racer Adam Petty, who was killed in a crash during practice in May 2000. Petty last drove the No. 45 Dodge Charger for Petty Enterprises, where he formerly served as CEO; his last race was in 2008.
Jason Charles Leffler was an American professional open-wheel and stock car racing driver. Leffler began racing in the open-wheel ranks, competing in the 2000 Indianapolis 500 before moving to primarily NASCAR competition. He died from injuries sustained in a 410 sprint car race at Bridgeport Speedway in Bridgeport, New Jersey.
Russell Scott Riggs is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He last competed in the No. 92 for RBR Enterprises in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series.
Charles Robert Hamilton Sr. was an American stock car racing driver and racing team owner. A driver and owner in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series circuit and the winner of the 2004 NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series championship, Hamilton owned Bobby Hamilton Racing. Hamilton's son, Bobby Hamilton Jr., was also a NASCAR driver.
John Paul Christian Menard is an American semi-retired professional stock car racing driver who last competed part-time in the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series, driving the No. 66 Toyota Tundra for ThorSport Racing.
Stephen Brian Park is an American former professional stock car racing driver. He won races in NASCAR's two top Northeast touring series and all three national divisions. Park was born in East Northport, New York as the youngest of four sons.
Donnie Allison is an American former driver on the NASCAR Grand National/Winston Cup circuit, who won ten times during his racing career, which spanned from 1966 to 1988. He is part of the "Alabama Gang", and is the brother of 1983 champion Bobby Allison and uncle of Davey Allison and Clifford Allison. He was inducted in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2009. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame on January 19, 2024.
Timothy Fedewa is an American professional racing driver and spotter. He works for Team Penske as the spotter for Ryan Blaney's No. 12 Ford Mustang in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Donnie Neuenberger is a former American professional stock car racing driver.
Jason Patrick Schuler is an American former stock car racing driver. He competed in the NASCAR Busch Series from 2000 to 2004. He is currently building cars for JJ Fabrication, Inc., the company he owns and operates along with Joe Wood in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin.
Gregory C. Zipadelli, nicknamed "Zippy", is an American crew chief in NASCAR. He is currently the competition director at Stewart-Haas Racing. Zipadelli is most notable for being the crew chief of the #20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Tony Stewart and Joey Logano from 1999 to 2011. In 2002 and 2005, he had won 34 races and two championships as a crew chief.
Jennifer Jo Cobb is an American professional stock car racing driver and team owner. She competes part-time in the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, driving the No. 10 truck for her own team, Jennifer Jo Cobb Racing. She has also previously competed in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR Whelen Euro Series.
Scott Gaylord is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has competed in four NASCAR Winston Cup Series races, all at Sears Point Raceway, most recently in 1996. He has been a long time competitor in the NASCAR Camping World West Series. Many of his starts in NASCAR's highest levels have been on the West Coast of the United States and on road courses.
Ryan James Ellis is an American professional stock car racing driver. He competes full-time in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, driving the No. 43 Chevrolet Camaro for Alpha Prime Racing. He has also competed in the NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the past.
The following NASCAR national series were held in 2012:
Jason Rudd is an American former professional stock car racing driver. Last racing for Means Racing in the NASCAR Busch Series, Rudd never ran a full-time season. He is the nephew of former NASCAR Cup Series driver Ricky Rudd.
Michelle Theriault is an American professional stock car racing driver. She competed part-time in NASCAR's Truck, and West Series and in the ARCA Re/Max Series in 2007. She also competed full-time in the East Series in 2007, finishing 13th in points, the highest for a female driver in that series at the time.
Jerick Johnson is an American professional stock car racing driver. He has made starts in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Truck Series, ARCA Menards Series, and the East and West Series. He competed in all of these series between 2003 and 2011.