I am a sports fan. I am not a fan of every sport, but I doubt if anyone actually is. Of course, to properly ascertain one’s status as a sports fan, one must first clarify what is, and is not, considered a legitimate sport. Is it being shown on a sports cable channel? If it is, then spelling bees, eating contests, and dog shows are sports because they’ve been telecast on ESPN. Is it a competitive event between participants? If it is, then Scrabble, chess, and checkers are sports because of the competition between two players.
There are, I believe, a few things in common that all real sports have with each other, and racing, specifically NASCAR, has these as well.
Admittedly, there was a time, 15 or so years ago, when I did not consider NASCAR a legitimate sport. Like most uninformed observers, I thought NASCAR drivers just drove around in circles, constantly turning left, but without that annoying turn indicator flashing like it does on your grandmother’s Buick. I have since come to realize the errors of my ways, and have become a big fan of the uniquely American sport of NASCAR. Sure, other countries have auto racing, but unlike the open wheel racers of the IRL and European Grand Prix circuits, I actually like the cars in the race to look like cars, not torpedoes with wheels.
NASCAR shares lots of similarities with other sports. Football, baseball, basketball, hockey, and soccer are all team sports, and so is NASCAR. Jimmie Johnson, or any other driver would be in sad shape without his pit crew, not to mention the research and development personnel at the home office. At the same time, NASCAR is unique in that it is an individual sport, one driver and one car, dueling with 42 other drivers and their rides. Speaking of rides, is it a far stretch for me to equate NASCAR with rodeo? Bear with me on this one. One “rider” in one car- one rider on one bull or bronco? Let me know.
There is one thing that in my opinion, makes NASCAR unique and special in the world of sports. All other sports, at least team sports, have their ultimate event at the end of their season. The NFL’s Super Bowl, and the NBA, NHL, and MLB have their premiere events after the regular season is over. NASCAR has their version of the playoffs, the chase for the cup, at the end of the season, but the premiere event, The Daytona 500, which starts in less than an hour, is the largest, most prestigious event on the NASCAR calendar, and it serves as the catapult to kick off the season.
Finally, what makes NASCAR special, at least to me, are the fans. NASCAR has tried to attract a more sophisticated and intellectual audience over the past few years. I’ve often said the best way to do that is to stop referring to Dale Earnhardt Jr. as “Little E”, and start referring to him as “Lower case E”. Sorry. A little attempt to interject humor. Seriously NASCAR, like rodeo, is a sport born from a way of life. From the moonshine runners of the prohibition era came the sport we have come to know and love as NASCAR. These fans are by and large blue collar, roll up your sleeves and get the job done, lunch pale toting Americans. True blue and patriotic. NASCAR has among it’s sponsors The Army, Air Force, and The National Guard. It would truly, in my opinion, be a sad day in NASCAR if a team were ever sponsored by MoveOn.org.
I agree that NASCAR is a sport, and I will say their drivers are athletes; if a hot-dog eater can be called an 'athlete', then so can a driver. I just can't sit through five hours of it. Probably because I don't drink alcohol (lol). Sadly, many people watch for a nasty crash, and Jimmie Johnson is sorta like Roger Federer; he's the best they've got, but doesn't strive to have a public persona.
OSL- well, your preachin to the choir here, of course I think NASCAR is a sport! Not that far of a stretch to make the analogy to Rodeo, or any equestrian sport for that matter (Show jumpers still have a team behind each rider/horse combo too). It is a unique sport and agreed, the fans are the best! You included...
Many has said NASCAR is not a sport. I have to agree with them to a point. It is more a passion for speed, fast cars, and a way of life. That is what I love about any form of racing.
In the beginning, your description of a fan was right on. Today it is all over the social / ecconomic board from the good old boys down in the holler all the way up to professionals, Doctors, Business executives and naturally the typical RED* NECK like me.
Last edited by photogr on February 17th at 9:00 PM.
Nice musings OSL - Of course of serious fans here agree...IT IS A SPORT. Yes, valid comparisions can be made to other sports, and I believe that if most people ever really had an opportunity to participate in an event, they would quickly realize the talent, and physical fitness these drivers have. And yes, I think NASCAR fans are among the most devoted type of sports fans.
Photogr- thanks for commenting
Gerrel- thanks to you too, and where's the lion cub avatar?
HussieCass- pleased to make your acquaintance, and thanks for the nice comments.
Very nice write up. NASCAR is not my cup of racing tea, as I've commented on other blogs. But it is still racing - and I'm a fan of just about all kinds of racing.
OSL: NASCAR DAMN SURE IS A SPORT , I FEEL LIKE FALLING ASLEEP AFTER DRIVING 200 MILES LET ALONE 500 THAT TAKES ENDURANCE AND ALOT OF ENERGY DRINKS,,NICE POST KEEP WORKING ON THE HUMOR PART..LOL
Nice post OSL. While golf, basketball, football, baseball, soccer, volleyball, etc. only use one ball, it takes two to drive inches from a competitor at 190 mph. Plus, there are no time out periods at the vast majority of races (even when they throw a red flag the drivers usually stay in the car). In terms of physical fitness, any SPORTING event that can regularly elevate a heart rate above 180 beats per minute seems to indicate the person is an athlete to me. GREAT read. Thanks.
Oh, by the way, before some female criticizes my analogy about the balls involved, I certainly agree that Danica, and Sarah, and Katherine Legge, etc. have the same kahones mentally though thankfully not physically.
Last edited by HoosierRacer13 on February 18th at 7:20 AM.
Before anyone dare define "sport," some things to thing about.
1) Bass-fishing is considered a sport and those guys barely move
2) Chess is a sport (I guess) and those guys don't move at all
3) Hunting is a sport and those guys compete with game animals
4)Baseball is the "great American sport" and the defense has the ball.
5)Ice-dancing is a sport scored only by judges
6)Most Olympic events are sports no one cares about.
It's fair to say that sports is difficult to define. "Competition short of war" is my best effort and even that is not sufficient What makes NASCAR racing unique would include:
- 43 teams on the field of play
- The field of play is different every week.
- There is no "bench strength." If you're out, your team is out.
- No other sport includes design, build, operate and service the sporting "implement." You can't build your own ball to bring to golf, football or baseball.
- All the teams that didn't make the playoffs get to go out on the field anyway.
Great comments about the sport of NASCAR racing. I don't think I've ever seen it put the way you have, even by the sports announcers and media.
Great job and eloquent also.
onesouthern'
The fact of the matter is that NASCAR has become the giant behemoth that just won't die. It's popularity may well have reached its maturity level. But the one thing that now knows how to do much more than any other of the major sports.....is how to market itself incessantly and successfully.
The NFL and NBA may well gain more notoriety but it's NASCAR's accessibility with its stars that makes it so popular across a number of demographics.
More to the point there's very little controversy concerning its stars.
As for the race itself though it wasn't all that intriguing I can't say that I found it at all disheartening.
Is there a sheep underneath that Lion's head? You always look at things with a kind, positive outlook.
I can always find you, I love your avatar.
I do miss the hairy ####, he has gone to the birds?
Jimmie Johnson, is my driver. I would not want to see him on a bull. To be a driver is more of a mental strain than physical compared to that of a bull rider. And Jimmie won't have to walk funny as he gets older.
For those who did not enjoy the Daytona race or do not consider racing a sport........?
Thanks for gracing my blog with your presence. Johnson had a rough time of it that's for sure. Fontana will be a much different story for HMS. Here's a question for you: there are 3 laps to go and Johnson's leading, followed by Gordon, and Jr. is in third. Would the 48 and 24 let the 88 have the win? Just curious.
I added you to my friends list! I just got back from Africa. Sorry for not answering back.
Anyways, I, too, felt the same about NASCAR. The last 2 years I've been educating myself on the sport. I have so many friends in the Military who are DIEHARD NASCAR FANS, I owed it to them and the 'Sport' to educate myself. So great post!!
That's what I thought you'd say. The stable at HMS is full of thoroughbreds this season, and after winning no less than half the point events last season, they've aimed at a high mark for themselves this year. Good luck to them.
