Grand National

The Grand National is the name for the early years of NASCAR, 1949-1970. This was when stock cars were actually stock, production-based. In the seventies, in order to save the series after the Oil Crisis of 1973, cars became increasingly less stock to the extent where for decades now they have all looked alike. In the Grand National era every American brand participated, attempting to advertise their sedan lineup through the "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday" strategy. This is why the cars got more powerful and more aerodynamic over time.