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I've seen it searching the web in relation to Nascar but I don't know exactly how it is differenet from formula 1 or Nascar? I just know it was popular in the 50s.

Thanks

Stock car racing is racing old cars where you are allowed to crash into your opponents. The last one still driving wins. Also called a demolition Derby.

Nascar is American, Formalar 1 other countries. You drive very fast and aren't suposed to crash - at least the consequenses of crashing badly are possibly fatal eg Ayrton Senna.

Someone else can give more details

Thanks Mr --Patterson--,

And what a coincidence, I was making the question to make clear to my students the background to Ray ---Peterson's-- song "Tell Laura I love her".

Actually AP, demolition derbies and NASCAR are not the same. I'm not a specialist on the subject, but I know there are at least a few differences:

NASCAR is definitely a race... like the Indy. Crashes happen, but aren't as dangerous as in Indy. Crashes are not the norm as part of the game or encouraged, or a strategy used in a race, they are accidental. And the cars are not old, but quite new and modified for the race.

A demolition derby is not a race, but an auto wrestling match that you described. Last one running wins. They frequently use older cars because destroying them is the goal.

I'm not sure, cftranslate, if this is important to you.

NASCAR = National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.

Stock car racing is NASCAR.

Just for your info.

I believe (but this is not my area either) that stock car racing is racing with modified regular "stock" cars like Fords, Chevrolets, Dodges, Hondas, Renaults, etc. On the other hand, Formula One, or in America, Indy Car racing (from the Indianapolis Motor Speedway races) features cars built from scratch as racing machines. Some of these cars cost a quarter of a million dollars to build, I understand.

Larry Latham