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In stock car racing, the barnstorming era was the period from 1953 until 1967. It is characterized by its lengthy schedules, often consisting of split race weekends, and the gradual shift from purely stock cars to purpose-built race cars on the track. It was preceded by the formation era and was followed by the reform era.

Racing During the Barnstorming Era[edit | edit source]

During the barnstorming era, race schedules were at their lengthiest, with the number of races often reaching into the 60's. Races were scheduled to minimize crisscrossing, which eased logistics for the still fledgling racing operations. No drivers in this era completed a full season's slate of races - it was not possible, given the tendency to schedule races on the same day on opposite coasts - while a few teams (notably, the Thompson Brothers and Staffords) did attempt every event.

Many teams and drivers would focus on higher paying races rather than the season-long championship, noting that the purses at some of the smaller tracks would not justify the expenses required to run. This gave regional drivers better opportunities to make a name for themselves, which some drivers, like "Steely" Phil Shortman of Washington did to great effect.

Promoters and track owners began to take less prominence in the development of the schedule. The power dynamic, which had been in their favor when racing series were first developing, gradually shifted in favor of the National Stock Car Series as it became the preeminent name in stock car racing nationwide: the NSCS featured the biggest drivers, the toughest schedule, and the most manufacturer support of any series. The ability of a promoter to draw crowds gradually became less important than their ability to draw local drivers and sponsors.

Road course racing became more prominent in this era, with the series opening Lime Rock Park in 1957, the first course purposely-built to host stock cars. Also opening in this era and hosting at least one NSCS race were:

While dirt races were still a major portion of the schedule, more and more asphalt speedways were taking their place on the schedule.

Cars gradually became less and less "stock" as the era progressed. Safety measures constituted the first major departures from "stock" equipment, with equipment such as roll cages and window nets being mandated by 1956. The series maintained homologation rules, which stated that the model of car being raced must be made available for public sale, though the degree to which "available" was defined varied by season. Rules stating that all equipment had to be available to the public were relaxed, and by the late 1950's, the better-funded teams were fielding purpose-built race cars that merely resembled the showroom models.

Race lengths gradually became standardized through the era. By 1958, series officials had mandated a minimum race distance of 100 miles on ovals, and 100 km on road courses.

End of the Barnstorming Era[edit | edit source]

The barnstorming era ended with the schedule reforms of the late 1960's, which brought about the reform era.