Nascar began in 1948 as the racing community grew in the southeastern United States. Soon after, the NASCAR Cup Series, now sponsored by Monster Energy, started up. It quickly became the highest level of racing, spawning lower levels and becoming synonymous with NASCAR itself. Three drivers hold a record seven cup titles, Jimmie Johnson, Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty. In 1972, the racing season was shortened from 48 races to 31. This kicked off the what NASCAR calls the “modern era.”

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Close to 12 million viewers tune in for the Daytona 500 each year, the most famous Cup Series race. However, the cars are not the peak of engineering, Despite running powerful engines in cars that zoom around at over 200 miles per hour, their weight and poor aerodynamic build makes handling the machines a challenge on its own. With races throughout the country, fans everywhere can see the top drivers. And a lack of standardized courses adds onto the character of the sport and makes attending multiple raceways a must-do for true fans. Race speeds vary widely on the Cup. For example, at the Daytona 500, the record qualifying lap is 212.809 miles per hour but a track like Sonoma Raceway is bogged down by 12 turns on a hilly course with 160 feet of elevation change. The record qualifying lap is only 99.3 miles per hour there.

Teams are packing up and heading out to compete on the cup. Get your tickets and head out to your closest raceway now.

On Saturday, May 18, the Monster Energy NASCAR All-Star Race kicks off. For only $74, you can go to Charlotte Motor Speedway in Concord, North Carolina and see the Cups fastest race around the track.

Just over a week later, on Sunday, May 26, the Cup Series returns to Concord and Charlotte Motor Speedway for the Cocoa Cola 600. This event has high stakes as it’s part of the race for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup series. Ticket prices vary, going from $84 to $226.

Two months later, racers will head to one of the fastest raceways in Nascar, Daytona International Speedway. The drivers will race around the track during the Coke Zero 400. Tickets start at $66.

Racers will head north to Loudon, New Hampshire to wrap up July. On the 21,they’ll run the New Hampshire 301 Monster Energy Cup. Tickets range from $56 to $134.

All prices are from StubHub.com.