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Speed freaks have been figuring out how to race anything with a motor since the motor was invented. That includes everything from cars and motorcycles to snowmobiles and boats. The question now is what is the most popular motorsport in the world? Here’s a quick list of several fan favorites, but there is always room for debate.
#1 Formula One
There is one form of motorsports in the world that can claim the title of being the most popular. That honor goes to Formula One! You may know it as F1 or Formula One, but the fact remains that racing series sanctioned by FIA holds the top spot among international fans when it comes to racing and especially open-wheel racing. F1 was organized in 1950 with a schedule that jumps continents and countries, but its roots date back to the 1920s and 1930s and the European Motor Racing Championships. In a nutshell, Formula One refers to a set of rules (a formula) that set the standard for open-wheel racing on the international scene. Famous races include the Monaco Grand Prix, the British Grand Prix and the Canadian Grand Prix.
#2 NASCAR
The most popular motorsport in the United States is NASCAR! The sanctioning body, known as NASCAR, has its sights set on the global market. NASCAR is an acronym for the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing. It has a history dating back to bootlegging illegal whiskey, but is now a sanctioning body that governs the NASCAR Cup Series since 1948, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and the ARCA Menard Series. NASCAR also sanctions tracks and local Series across the United States. In addition, NASCAR now sanctions Series in Canada, Mexico, Europe and Brazil with eyes on expanding to even more countries.
#3 IndyCar
IndyCar is the premier open-wheel racing series in the United States. The Series is host to the famed Indianapolis 500 every Memorial Day weekend. The cars have a similar look to Formula 1 cars, but the setup, engines, tires and technology differ greatly. The Series runs a schedule on many larger oval tracks including the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, which is also known as the Brickyard. The Series also makes full use of road courses such as Mid-Ohio as well as street races in Nashville, Long Beach and St. Petersburg. Depending on the track, IndyCar drivers can reach speeds of 240 MPH on large ovals and 200 MPH on road/street courses.
#4 MotoGP
There is no question that the most popular motorsports in the world list would include motorcycle racing! The MotoGP Series tops the list of motorcycle racing and dates back to 1949. That’s when Fédération Internationale de Motocyclisme (FIM) became the main sanctioning body and standardized rules and regulations governing the sport. MotoGP racing takes place across four classes and runs races on paved tracks in countries including Austria, Spain, Italy, India, Japan, the UK and more. MotoGP now includes MotoE which is a Series for electric motorcycle races.
#5 Drag Racing
The National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) is one of the most well-known sanctioning bodies for drag racing with roots dating back to the 1930s and 1950s when the sport became popular on the dry lakebeds of California. Drag racing pits two highly specialized vehicles against each other on a short straight raceway in a timed event. To put it simply, the fastest driver wins – blink and you may miss it! Other major sanctioning bodies for drag racing include the International Hot Rod Association and World Drag Racing Alliance.
#6 Rally Cross
Rally Cross, Rally Racing, or Rallying is a type of racing based on getting from point to point along a pre- determined course. The events can take place on or offroad venues and events are held worldwide. Several sanctioning bodies govern the sport and all of its variations. Rally racing often includes two people in the car. One is the driver while the other is the co-driver or navigator. That person’s job is to give the driver all of the needed information about the course. Info could include upcoming turns, jumps, speed, the severity of an obstacle and other pertinent information including weather conditions.
#7 Drifting
Drifting is probably the only motorsport that includes style points when it comes to winning! Drift racing has roots back to the 1950s when F1 drivers played around with controlled drifting. But credit Japan for what we consider modern-day drifting competitions. The sport exploded in popularity with Japanese and Asian drivers starting in the 1970s and has since spread across the globe. Drift racing is featured in cartoons, movies and music videos as well as sanctioned events. Drift racing is governed by Formula D (Formula Drift) in the United States and several other countries including Japan.
No. 8 –IMSA
IMSA Racing covers a lot! The International Motor Sports Association was formed in 1969 by John and Peggy Bishop in Daytona Beach, Florida with the help of Bill France Senior of NASCAR. IMSA racing was set up to offer regulations and stability to road course racing as NASCAR did for oval track racing. Now the sanctioning body has seven series starting with the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship. One of the biggest races on the schedule is the 24 Hours of Daytona which features several classes of cars on the same track for the entire event with team drivers.
It’s hard to get past the popularity of Formula 1 due to its international schedule and list of drivers from a wide variety of countries. But NASCAR is making a run at the top of the chart! The stock car racing sanctioning body has expanded to Europe, Mexico, Canada and Brazil with drivers from multiple countries making their way to the United States to compete. This list of the most popular motorsports in the world contains some personal favorites, but as mentioned above, there is always room for debate so your list may include the snowmobile racing!
