During America's "Noble Experiment" (a.k.a. Prohibition), bourbon makers were given away by the smoke rising from their stills.  G-men (government men), T-men (Treasury agents) and Revenuers would simply gather and wait for the smoke to rise.  To combat this treachery, small batch connoisseurs would wait until night to cook their elixir.  This came to be known as moonshining and the resultant brew as moonshine.  The 'shiners were unable to barrel-age their whiskey, so the product was raw and clear and as strong as a right hook.  A fast car was a necessity to transport this juice.  The runners would meet up on weekends to earn bragging rights on their driving.  Thus was born NASCAR.