Why NASCAR Is A Sport

And
Why Racecar Drivers Are Athletes
By: Eric Long

What Are Characteristics of Sports?

Some of amount of physical activity is required

Must involve competition

Cannot harm animals

Competitors have a reasonable chance of injury

What Are Characteristics of

Activities, NOT Sports?

Little to no physical activity

Primarily luck based

No skill required

Little to no competition

What Athletic Qualities Are Involved in

Racing?

Fitness and endurance to make it through 3-4 hours

of racing

Reflexes and coordination to react in a split second

Cardiorespiratory Capacity similar to athletes that

participate in basketball, baseball, and football

What Makes NASCAR A Sport?

High level of competition for 3-4 hours

There is a clear winner

Requires an amount of physical activity to endure the tough

conditions for this amount of time

Why Should Drivers Be Considered

Athletes?

They have to withstand the incredible conditions and stresses:

Temperature inside the car approaches 150 degrees

High amount of G-forces for long periods of time

Drivers can lose 5-15 lbs after a race from sweat

Why Is Racing More Than Just

Driving Cars In Circles?

The racing engines produce close to 900 horsepower

Cars reach speeds of up to 210 mph

Intense racing side by side for 3-4 hours

Racing at these speeds exerts about 3Gs of force on the driver, and
crashes have exerted of 64Gs on impact