A stick-and-ball fan's guide to NASCAR.(Driver's ed)

My grandpa watches every race, and he always says, "NASCAR loves Chew." I have no idea what he's talking about. Does it matter that my grandpa only drives Fords?

That is a question ripe with history and potential land mines. First, the history. For decades, different manufacturers have come and gone--Plymouth, Buick, Mercury, Oldsmobile and Pontiac among them. Each manufacturer sought bragging rights, the acquisition of which required a visit to victory lane. There was even a slogan: "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday." It probably was poppycock, but it sure sounded good.

Until recently, the bodies of the ...