Columbia Sportswear’s Guide to Watching NASCAR

NASCAR isn’t just about cars zooming around in circles. Once you dive into the sport’s history, the technical strategy, and team dynamics, watching a NASCAR event goes from a simple race to a full-throttle battle of brains and horsepower. The more you know, the more you’ll feel the adrenaline kick in. As Bubba Wallace puts it, “NASCAR isn’t just left turns for hours on end. Come out and see for yourself!” Trust us, you won’t look at a race the same way again.

NASCAR racing is a high-octane ride where acceleration, precision, and pure adrenaline collide. Basically, its 40 cars blasting around the track at insane speeds, inches apart, hugging tight corners, and pushing the limits of control and strategy. The roar of engines, the blur of colors, and nonstop drama make every race pure excitement. Whether it's fierce battles for the lead, last-lap heroics, or the relentless pursuit of victory, NASCAR is adrenaline on wheels. Just don’t forget your earplugs.  

But like any sport, the more you know, the more fun it gets. We chased down Columbia Ambassador and NASCAR legend Bubba Wallace, driver for 23XI Racing, co-owned by none other than Michael Jordan and Denny Hamlin. Known for his speed and daring, Bubba made history as the first Black driver in 50 years to win a NASCAR race. His achievements include a second-place finish at the Daytona 500, his first Cup Series win at Talladega, and launching Columbia’s Star Wars Collection with iconic wrapped cars and themed fire suits. To get a better handle on NASCAR’s rich history and culture, we challenged Bubba to help us with 10 things you need to know as the season kicks into gear.

NASCAR was born out of the high-speed car chases during Prohibition. Bootleggers modified their cars to outrun the law. Inevitably, informal races with these souped-up hot rods started popping up, with plenty of law-evaders participating. Early NASCAR racing has a rich history of “rule-dodging,” with early legends like Junior Johnson and Smokey Yunick gaining notoriety for rule-bending in the spirit of competition. According to Bubba--who, as you might guess--is a very careful driver off the track, “The origin of NASCAR is not surprising. We all have a little need for speed within us; it’s a matter of how we use it.” 

It’s easy to get confused with so many different types of cars and races. Here’s a quick breakdown of NASCAR vs. Formula 1 (F1):   

NASCAR:  The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing focuses on stock cars that resemble the cars most of us drive, but with significant modifications for speed and safety. Bubba says NASCAR cars have evolved over the years to replicate your everyday showroom car look. These days, he adds, Toyota “looks the best to me, although I may be a bit biased.”  

Formula 1 (F1): A global motorsport featuring open-wheel, highly technical, purpose-built cars designed for speed on smooth, road-style circuits, as opposed to the oval tracks used in NASCAR.  

While drivers like Bubba are front and center, NASCAR races are all about teamwork. “When the races are on TV, it’s usually all about the driver, leaving the rest of the team unnoticed, when in fact it takes an army to win—let alone just get to the race track every weekend with a competitive car,” explains Bubba. He adds that while each car has a crew that builds, tunes, and repairs the car, teams also share information to help one another out. The critical team members are as follows:    
 
The Crew Chief: The crew chief is key to the team’s success. They make all critical decisions about the car's adjustments during the race based on the driver’s feedback and the overall race conditions.  
 
Pit Crews: A top-notch pit crew can change four tires, refuel, and adjust the car in under 14 seconds, giving their team a massive edge. The faster the crew can change tires and refuel, the more competitive their car becomes. Says Bubba, “It's not just about going fast; it's about knowing when to push, when to conserve, and when to pit.”  
 
  Spotters: Spotters are the eyes in the sky, working closely with the crew chief. Drivers can't see everything while speeding around the track, and that's why spotters are critical to both success and safety. Positioned high in the stands, spotters guide drivers, warning them of crashes and advising them on the positions of other cars.

Physical fitness plays a big role in NASCAR, and the drivers are top athletes who do plenty of training. NASCAR drivers experience heart rates between 120-150 beats per minute throughout the race—similar to a marathon runner during a 3-hour race. According to Bubba, “The conditions inside the car can also be grueling: in hot summer months, temperatures can reach up to 130 to 150°F (40°C).” “It’s a great way to lose some weight,” he jokes.  

Strength and endurance are also key elements for a successful NASCAR racer. Drivers’ average speeds of 200 mph, controlling the wheel for hours, which requires mental stamina, focus, and muscle endurance. “Only about 40 of us get to do it, depending on the race,” acknowledges Bubba. “And out of some 38 races in a season, the champion typically wins 3-6 of them. It’s a pretty tough win/lose ratio, honestly, but that shows how hard it is to win.”

  Driver Weight: Drivers must weigh exactly 200 pounds (including their helmet). If they weigh less, weights are added to the car; if they weigh more, the car’s weight is adjusted. “The cars are so equal that every little detail matters,” explains Bubba. “We weigh in twice a year, and it’s calculated into the overall weight of the car. The lighter the car, the faster it goes.”  

Nicknames: Many drivers go by fun or famous nicknames, such as "The Intimidator" (Dale Earnhardt), "Jimmie the Jet" (Jimmie Johnson), and, of course, “Bubba” Wallace. His real name is William Darrell, but Bubba is a childhood nickname given to him by his sister—and a perfect NASCAR moniker.

A regular driver’s license is not required to race in NASCAR, but you do need to know how to handle a car at high speeds. Drivers also undergo thorough drug testing and physical exams before qualifying. Says Bubba, “In just about any form of motorsport, you don’t need a driver’s license to race. Get out there and go!”  

NASCAR drivers typically start in lower-tier racing series, such as Late Model racing, NASCAR’s Truck Series, or Xfinity Series (the second-tier NASCAR series). You must be 18 years old to compete, although there are some exceptions for 16-and-17-year-olds in lower tier races. NASCAR has some excellent development programs designed for young racers.

According to Bubba, while NASCAR is known for its high speeds, strategy is equally important. Pit stops, tire management, and fuel conservation are all critical elements. The cars can’t run at full speed for the entire race—drivers must manage their tires and pit stops wisely.    

NASCAR racing has evolved, says Bubba. “With this generation of drivers and cars, the majority of the races come down to who can call the best strategy to win. Not always does the fastest car win the race,” he explains. “Sometimes it’s the smartest.”    

Some of the fun of watching comes from keeping an eye out for close calls, daring overtakes, and "dustups" (races that end in crashes or disputes between drivers). It’s all part of the show.

There are four types of tracks used in NASCAR. Most are oval tracks, which include short tracks (anything under one mile in distance), intermediate tracks (1.5 miles), super speedways (around 2.5 miles), and road courses (2–3 miles) that feature both left and right turns. Bubba says that short tracks are his favorite. There are 36 races in a season, held in locations across the U.S., with teams based mostly in North Carolina. It’s a traveling circus, where the "garage" is essentially a mobile shop.

After a win, a driver’s burnout or 'doing donuts’ is a crowd favorite. It’s tradition for the winning driver to spin their tires, fill the air with smoke, and celebrate by drifting the car in controlled slides. These burnouts showcase not just the car’s power, but the driver’s skill and pure joy in the moment.

NASCAR's relationship with Hollywood runs deep. Over the years, many racers have appeared in movies, and the sport has been the focus of many films. Actor Burt Reynolds never competed professionally in NASCAR, but he was a passionate fan who helped introduce the sport to millions of new enthusiasts. His role in Smokey and the Bandit cemented the pop-culture connection between fast cars, rebellious attitudes, and Southern charm--while also highlighting bootlegging. And who doesn’t love Will Ferrell in Talladega Nights—partly named after the iconic speedway—or Tom Cruise taking laps in Days of Thunder? And legendary actor (and salad dressing mogul) Paul Newman not only starred in racing films but also co-owned a racing team and even raced professionally himself.

In contrast to many sports where athletes are considered washed up by their late teens or 20s, drivers often enjoy impressively long careers. It's not unusual for NASCAR drivers to compete well into their 40s and 50s. In fact, Harry Gant holds the record as the oldest driver to win a NASCAR race, clinching victory at age 52. Bubba notes, "Longevity is key. We make a good living to provide for our families and want that to last a long time. We've even had drivers race in their 70s!"


Watch Bubba Wallace turn heads this season with Columbia Sportswear’s latest, most dynamic paint schemes on the No. 23 Toyota Camry for 23XI Racing. The new designs kick off at the Ambetter Health 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on February 23, and you won’t want to miss it. Stay tuned as Bubba and Columbia take on the NASCAR circuit, from Atlanta (2/23) to the Straight Talk Wireless 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway (3/23), the Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway (4/6), the AdventHealth 400 at Kansas Speedway (5/11), the Firekeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway (6/8), The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway (8/23), and the NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Talladega (10/19). It’s going to be a season full of speed, style, and serious NASCAR energy.