On this date 68 years ago, the very first NASCAR race of what is now the Monster Energy Series took place.
The very first “Strictly Stock” race took place at Charlotte Speedway, June 19, 1949, in a 150-mile race on the three-quarter mile speedway, which was located about 20 minutes down I-85 from the current Charlotte Motor Speedway.
Bill France decided to make the move in 1949 to outlaw the “modifieds” and run strictly stock cars so that fans could relate to the cars and drivers.
Most of the cars were driven to the track and it was set to have the fastest 33 drivers enter the race, an ode to the Indianapolis 500 field.