No matter what part of the world you are in, motorsports have never been more popular than they are today. However, the exact motorsports that are popular depend on what country you happen to be in. For example, the United States has NASCAR and INDYCAR racing as the two primary types of racing that dominate the country. Europe and other parts of the world are dominated by Formula One racing. Motorcycle racing and drag racing also have large followings. There has even been an increased audience for fringe racing sports such as dirt bike and sprint car racing. Much of the popularity of these fringe sports has been due to their exposure thanks to the proliferation of sports related cable channels. The current popularity of motorsports is outstanding. It shows no signs of slowing down in the future.
NASCAR
The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is by far the most popular form of auto racing in the United States. Attendance at races and ratings on TV have been steadily improving to the point that more races are now being televised than at any point in the history of NASCAR. The organization has done a very good job of marketing itself and its drivers by producing a wide range of merchandise. Drivers like Richard Petty and A.J. Foyt became household names due in large part because of how they were marketed during their careers.
Formula One
For most other countries besides the United States, Formula One remains the type of auto racing that people tend to be interested in the most. In the 1990s, the popularity of Formula One racing started to take off on a global scale when new TV deals were inked with a wide variety of networks around the globe, increasing the exposure of the sport beyond anything it had before. This was due in large part to the efforts of Max Mosley, the president of FIA at the time. For the past 20 years, Formula One has continued to enjoy steady growth in terms of increased TV ratings and interest from sponsors.
INDYCAR
INDYCAR racing has featured many drivers over the years who also made a name for themselves in Formula One, such as Mario Andretti. The famous Indianapolis 500 is featured as part of the INDYCAR racing season. Although not as popular as NASCAR, INDYCAR racing has a large fan base and continues to be profitable.