Car Racing's Prohibition Roots Lawmakers and law breakers. Tire-squealing car chases along dark, winding roads. And the unexpected emergence of a multi-billion-dollar empire. It's an action-packed story that begins with the Prohibition era (1920–1933) in the United States. Historians say it continues still, a century later. The story involves a sports organization that revs fans up all over the world. That's the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing, better known as NASCAR. In 1920, the recently ratified 18th Amendment became the law of the land. The amendment banned the production, importation, and sale of alcoholic beverages in the U.S. But not everyone was willing to obey the new rules. Even before the federal law was enacted, people made and sold illegal alcohol. They wanted to avoid paying high taxes on their profits. For some, selling alcohol was the best alternative to dire poverty. It helped f...