Cars designed specifically to race on short dirt or paved tracks are known as sprint cars. These cars are small in size with a high power-to-weight ratio. This enables the cars to cruise at speeds exceeding 140 miles per hour. Sprint cars are available in “winged” and “non-winged” versions. The winged versions, developed in the 1970s, differ from the non-winged versions by having additional wings mounted on top of the car to increase the down force of air. This allows the car to grip the road more firmly and avoid any accidents triggered by cars going airborne. The wings would also bear the impact of any accident in case a car goes airborne. Recent models incorporate safety roll cages to protect the driver from fatal mishaps.

Sprint cars offer a challenging foray into the arena of racing. It is considered to be an excellent training ground for potential NASCAR series drivers. National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the officially largest body for sanctioning motor sports in America. Its primary function is to sanction and promote motor sports. Prominent NASCAR drivers Jeff Gordon and Tony Stewart started their careers in sprint car racing. The National Sprint Car Hall of Fame & Museum located in Knoxville, Iowa, exhibits the complete history of winged and non-winged sprint cars.

The World of Outlaws, founded in 1978 by Ted Johnson, is a premier dirt sprint car racing series for winged sprint cars. Hosted between the months of March and November, the series features races on famous tracks such as the Eldora Speedway in Rossburg, Ohio, the Knoxville Raceway in Knoxville, Iowa and Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. The predominant sprint car racing event is held in August at Knoxville Raceway called the Knoxville Nationals.