Had an argument with a few NASCAR fans about whether NASCAR drivers are "athletes" or not. Would like to hear others opinions.
Here is the arguments from the previous thread in the lounge:
Referring to Danica Patrick:
my response:
O.....VER.....RATED. Both in terms of hotness and as a driver. She has one win which I believe was in japan when half the field had already crashed and the other half was still drunk off sake from the night before. Not impressed and actually can't stand her.
member response:
Well said, even though you proved you know nothing about NASCAR racing, which she did well in the few races she ran last year. In the Nationwide Series.
my response:
Correct. I know nothing about NASCAR or even that she was driving in that series now. Thought she was still running Indy cars. Either way she is lame and not that hot. I tend to focus on sports that matter and require some sort of athletic skill and abilities.
member response:
If you think driving a racecar 200+ MPH for 4 hours while running just inches off another car requires no athletiscim and or skill, then I guess you don't consider tournament bass fishing a sport then because it certainly doesnt take any skill, abilities, or athleticism to fish all day in any type of weather does it, and not to mention catch fish. People like you crack me up, what do you consider a sport, table tennis, LOL.
my response:
I never said it wasn't a sport, just not an athletic sport. I'm sorry but I just feel like a lot of people can be good at driving a race car. Does it take skill? Sure. But you can be a complete slob and drive a car. When I look at Tony Stewart it only furthers my opinion.
member response:
You in no way have a clue. You might as well be talking about building an airplane jet motor, or rocket science because you probably know just as much about these. Does baseball require any athleticism?, all you do is stand there and swing or stand there and catch the ball. Seriously, I have learned in my short life that if it is something I have never experienced or done I need to keep my mouth shut. Driving a racecar can be demanding and take a toll on you during a race. I know. [/quote]
my response:
You are missing the point. Are NASCAR drivers skilled???? Yes. Are they athletes? Absolutely not. When Jeff Gordon passes Dale Jr. do the announcers say "What an athletic move by Gordon!"......absolutely not. It is not an athletic move, the car is the performer and the driver is the manipulator of that machine. Almost like in horse racing the horse is the athlete and the jockey is the manipulator of the horse to get its maximum performance. Same thing. An athlete such as in football, baseball or basketball for instance has to manipulate their own body in a way to get maximum performance and is entirely dependent upon themselves whereas NASCAR drivers are dependent upon how their car is performing. SKILLED YES, NOT ATHLETES bottom line.
Sorry for the long read but what do you guys think? NASCAR drivers....athletes or not?
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Yummy.
