How I became a NASCAR fan

My stereotype of NASCAR was once of car junkies dizzyingly entranced by racecars endlessly circling.

But that all changed when I signed up for the FOX fantasy auto racing game two years ago.

Opened up was a world of fast drivers with equally fierce competitiveness. Each track on the circuit was unique, just like the drivers who drove the tracks. Owners comprised of dominating dynasties and newcomers fighting to become noticed. They existed side by side in their bid to be the fastest car.

Four car manufacturers representing Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford and Toyota cars used the circuit every weekend to showcase the raw power of their engines. As racing teams aligned with a manufacturer, it was up to the chiefs and their crew to engineer a car that balanced speed with longevity to ensure success for the hundreds of laps driven.

Strategy entered the picture with crews attempting to balance fuel economy, car adjustments and tire changes with the fewest number of pit stops. Many late-race pit stops needed to be timed perfectly to stay in front of the pack.

Some crews even attempted to bend the rules in preparation of the car before the race to gain the extra advantage. If they're caught, the chiefs are handed suspensions.

Rather than just seemingly featuring ordinary cars with non-descript drivers circling an asphalt track, NASCAR became a sport filled with colorful characters and stiff competition that made the winner of many races in doubt until the final victory lap.

2008 promises to be exciting with competition becoming more fierce. Toyota is expected to improve rapidly in its second season, and an infusion of resources via new partnerships may start reaping dividends for revamped teams like Roush Fenway.

Skirmishes between drivers like last year's confrontation between Carl Edwards and Matt Kenseth may arise again when drivers inevitably knock others from leading positions on the track, adding fuel to the fiery competitiveness.

The Daytona 500 begins the ninth-month NASCAR circuit that starts in February and ends in November.

The big-market powerhouse teams of Roush Fenway Racing and Hendrick Motorsports will battle each other for supremacy.

Smaller market teams like Penske Racing, Joe Gibbs Racing, Richard Childress Racing, Evernham Motorsports and others aim to place at the top of the Cup standings as well.

All 22 tracks on the NASCAR Circuit offer varied road challenges, different lengths, changing weather and unique surfaces.

Drivers contend with short tracks like Bristol Motor Speedway and Richmond International Raceway and race the majority of the others at intermediate and flat tracks.

Most notably, these types include tracks in nearly every part of the country: From the New Hampshire International Speedway and Pennsylvania's Pocono Raceway in the East; from the Chicagoland Speedway and Michigan International Speedway in the Midwest; from the Atlanta Motor Speedway and Texas Motor Speedway in the South; and from the California Speedway and Las Vegas Motor Speedway in the West.

In addition, restrictor plate tracks offer unique challenges. Cars with restrictor plates are fitted with a plate that restricts airflow to the engine, slowing them to safer speeds at Daytona International Speedway and Talladega Superspeedway.

Though NASCAR has no "home" teams to follow, racing fans can track their favorite drivers throughout the season and chart their progress.

Some swear by fiery Tony Stewart; other legions like flashy Jeff Gordon; while many are rabid fans of Dale Earnhardt, Jr. following in his famous father's footsteps. And still others enjoy winning back-to-back championships as fans of Jimmie Johnson.

No matter the appeal, many drivers can be followed as NASCAR is diversifying.

International Formula One star Juan Pablo Montoya successfully made the transition to NASCAR last season. This season, open wheel racing stars Dario Franchitti, Jacques Villenueve, Patrick Carpentier and Sam Hornish. Jr. hope to make the same impact as NASCAR rookies.

Best yet, many can just track the entire NASCAR experience during the full season by playing fantasy auto racing.

Just like a playoffs in the other major sports of NBA, NHL and NFL, NASCAR offers a competition with a series of races at the end of the season to determine the best in its Chase for the Championship.

Last season, Johnson of Hendrick Motorsports defended his title and edged teammate Gordon in a fight to the final November race.

Don't be left out!a

See more at http://msn.foxsports.com