NASCAR Goes Truckin', Debuts National Touring Series for Pickups in 1995

• Series originally named “SuperTruck Racing Series” became the third-highest NASCAR national touring level.

• The series featured American-made, full-size trucks, built specifically for racing.

• Series officially debuted on February 5, 1995, at Phoenix Raceway.

Ever since it was created, NASCAR and its commercial partners have celebrated the phrase, “Win on Sunday, sell on Monday."

That applied to the cars fans would see on the racetrack competing each and every week. NASCAR’s sanctioning body wanted fans at the time to know they could own the same cars they saw racing, and manufacturers hoped fans would flock to a winning brand.

Up until the mid-90’s, the phrase only applied to automobiles. However, NASCAR president Bill France Jr. had an eye on a different segment of the vehicle market that he felt the series could stake a claim.

In 1994, France took particular notice in the rising sales of pickup trucks in the U.S. Soon thereafter, NASCAR made the announcement to introduce a third national touring series, a pickup truck racing series.

France told the Longview (Texas) News Journal, “We feel the time is right for a touring truck racing series. Trucks are extremely popular in the United States and sales figures show that one truck is sold for every two cars.”

And so, the “SuperTruck Racing Series” was born.