Stock Car Racing Collection
The Appalachian State University Library Stock Car Racing Collection is preserving racing history for future generations by building a comprehensive repository of stock car racing materials. We welcome the public and assist them in their research. The collection is housed and organized according to professional archival standards of preservation and bibliographic cataloging, and trained staff provide reference assistance to both local and remote patrons. Information about resources in the collection is made available internationally via the Internet.
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Contact Special Collections at spcoll@appstate.edu for more information about the clippings, photographs, race programs, press kits, and other material in the Stock Car Racing Collection.
FAQs
What is a stock car?
In the early days of stock car racing, the automobiles were essentially just as they came from the automobile sales floor, or stock. Drivers often raced the family car on Saturday night or Sunday afternoon. The Strictly Stock Division sanctioned by NASCAR in 1949 required all parts in cars to be available to anyone from the manufacturer. The cars had to be full-sized passenger cars, and fans quickly identified with the machines that closely resembled those in their own garages. Today, the stock car is stock in name and general outer appearance only. Substantial modifications are made to enhance speed and for safety reasons. For instance, the racing stock car has no headlights (decals are pasted on for a stock appearance), door handles, or side window glass. The engine, tires, and most other parts of the car are especially constructed for racing, and the driver sits in a secure roll cage for safety.
What kinds of materials are in the collection?
The Stock Car Racing Collection contains printed, archival, photographic, and audio-visual materials that document the history of the sport.
Selected topics and material types include:
- Automotive and Racing Calendars
- Bob Myers Collection
- Central Pennsylvania Racing Association
- Clippings File
- Dick Beaty Collection
- Diecast Cars
- Driver Cards
- Fan Club Newsletters
- G. Wayne Miller Collection
- Hank Schoolfield Universal Racing
- Network Collection
- Len Milde Collection
- Magazines, Journals and Newspapers
- Marvin Panch Collection
- Media Guides
- Mike Hembree Collection
- Photographs
- Race Programs
- Raymond Parks Collection
- Richard Petty Collection
- Sibley Slide Collection
- T. Taylor Warren Collection
- Trading Cards
Do you accept donations?
Please see Donate to Special Collections for more information.
Who can use the materials in the collection?
The Stock Car Racing Collection is open to the public. Archival and rare materials require an appointment. Individuals with Appalachian State University ID cards may check out some materials on site, and others may borrow them for short periods via their local library’s interlibrary loan service.
Advisory Council
- Donnie Allison
- Pat Allison
- Len Batycki
- Vaughn Christian
- Ed Clark
- David Green
- Bryan Hallman
- Martha Kreszock
- Charles M. “Mick” Kreszock
- Tim Southers
- Deb Williams