Why Do Horse Races and NASCAR Cars Drive Counter-Clockwise?

Question
I am sure that you weren't expecting this question, but I had asked on another sight why nascar drives counter-clockwise. I was told that they copied horse racing. Now I am asking why horse racing chose to go counter-clockwise.(it's for a paper) Thank you in advance,

Dennis

Answer
Dennis

You're right, I wasn't expecting that question, and I'm afraid that I can't give you a definite answer.  Actually, not all races are run in a counter-clockwise direction.  All American and Canadian races races run counter-clockwise, but most European races are run clockwise.  And American races didn't always run exclusively counter-clockwise.  Many American races started out running clockwise just like their European cousins.  As a matter of fact, the Belmont was not run counter-clockwise until 1921.

Good luck with your paper,
Stephanie Frost
www.alchemybloodstock.com