NASCAR: Five Racing Shows Today’s Fans Missed Out On

Winter Heat

NASCAR’s Winter Heat series lasted only five years between the winter of 1994-1995 through 1998-1999 but it proved to both a memorable viewing for race fans.

The Nashville Network (now known as Spike TV) aired the inaugural season of races which took place at the Tucson Raceway Park short track in Tucson, Arizona. The first season featured the debut of what was then known as the NASCAR Super Truck Series. Also featured were NASCAR’s Winston West series and the NASCAR Southwest Tour series. In later years, ESPN 2 took over broadcasting duties and the truck series was replaced by a late model championship series.

Winter Heat proved to be a huge stepping stone for several drivers. Ron Hornaday, Jr.’s victory in the first NASCAR Southwest Tour Winter Heat race in 1994 impressed Dale Earnhardt to the point where Earnhardt hired Hornaday for his new truck series team. Greg Biffle’s performance in the series impressed Benny Parsons to the point where Parsons gave Biffle a high recommendation to Jack Roush whom eventually hired Biffle. Other drivers who benefited from the Winter Heat series include Kevin Harvick, Kurt Busch and Matt Crafton.

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