Whats the point of Nascar?
Written by Chess2591, Friday August 07 2009
Sure its fun to go fast in cars...but where does the joy come in watching it?
NASCAR has easily become one of the most, if not the most, celebrated "sports" in America. However, where is the actual sport in it.
Calling it a skilled competition, I understand, but placing ones foot on gas, and causing a car to go to speeds most people only dream of going doesn't exactly require the same athleticism as football, soccer, baseball, or basketball do for instance.
It obviously requires immense skill, and quick reflexes, but I just don't see the excitement in following cars on a track. Swimming, or track&field also involve numerous laps, but they are done BY the person, in an athletic way.
Swimming is always done by the athlete, while track occasionally utilizes other utensils such as javelins, hurdles, and shotputs; but all include, and are mainly catered to the athlete.
In no other sports are athletes given engines, and teams of skilled mechanics to assist them. It's practically like steroids in baseball, or any sports, an unfair advantage for certain drivers. NASCAR is indeed a great american hobby, but I still just can't call it a sport!
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2 comments
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I respect your opinion, but I still don't get it. Obviously it takes great skill, and athletic abilitiy; and not any average joe can do it, but it just isn't the same as a single person, rather than a person with machine. I have driven around a track once before, and I also only got to complete a few laps, and as exhilirating as it was, it was equally difficult. But as much as I respect people with the ability to drive fast, and people who help them get to their insane speeds...I just can't see the same athleticism in race car drivers as I do in NBA, MLB, and NFL stars. Sure they sweat, and work hard; but I highly doubt their workout regimes are quite the same as other pro athletes. Also, from what it just said...I may be demeaning golfers, but that is most surely in my idea of what a real sport is. It takes extreme concentration, determination, core muscles, and accuracy. So to all the golfers, I absolutely view golf as one of the toughest sports their is.
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Chess, you obviously are assuming that all it takes is to put your foot on the gas and drive in a circle and that it takes no athletic ability to drive in NASCAR. Have you ever tried it? Well I have! I had the pleasure of doing the Richard Petty driving experience about 5 years ago and there is a lot more involved then what you believe. I only did ten laps, and I wasn't actually racing other cars, I was racing against the clock. After only ten laps, I was sweating, and my body was drained. Before I did this, I too, (and I am not a huge NASCAR fan either) thought the same as you. Afterwords, I felt differently and realized that it certainly takes a true athlete to do this. I only did ten laps, I could only imagine what it must be like to do 500 miles and 200 laps while racing other cars as well at speeds close to 160 MPH. It is a true sport and takes a true athlete to do it.