I cannot squeeze all this down to just a few words, but I will offer this:
The difference between ‘stock” cars & MODIFIED cars is quite a bit.
Hard to use just a few words here.
Try to find where the nearest “MODIFIED” cars are running near where you live & avail yourself of such an evening’s entertainment.
Just for starters—the exterior sheet metal is quite different. Tire stagger—lots of things.
Years ago they were souped up Coupes
First sanctioned NASCAR race were the Modifieds, in 1948.