Showcase Showdown

Is NASCAR a Sport?

By Caleb Musselman and Ryan Frisco

Alright Caleb, let's tackle this century old question.  

Ryan - Sport

Caleb - Job

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Caleb - First off its not a century old question. NASCAR began in 1947. Boom roasted. Moving on, NASCAR is not a sport. The main argument that most NASCAR fans use is that it requires serious physical exertion. While I do appreciate the hard work and effort these drivers put into their job, mere sweat and sore muscles does not qualify something as a sport. If this is one of the qualifications, then the overweight UPS man who struggles up my front steps and the 16 year-old who bags my groceries at ALDI are athletes as well. Give me your competition and team aspect arguments. I know they are coming. 

Ryan - First, it's a figure of speech.  Second, do your own research.  I'm giving you no more facts.  NASCAR is a sport.  It is the longest professional sport's season in America.  And dude, I don't think your comparison of NASCAR's physical exertion to that of a UPS worker or grocery bagger.  Let's look at what these guys and girls go through every Sunday afternoon.  They wear a super hot fire suit, sit in a space more compact than a rocket ship for 4 hours in a row in 150 degrees or more and can't lose focus for a mere split second.  No, the physical exertion doesn't qualify it as a sport, but don't downplay what they go through every week.

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Why is it a sport?  Let's start with what you brought up, the competition.  Starting with Daytona in February, the race for the Chase is on.  Each race counts for points.  Depending on how well you finish each race, the more or less points you get.  You've got 40 drivers racing every week to make the 'playoffs' you could say, the 10 race chase in the Fall.  The top 10 drivers, plus two wild cards, have their points reset, and it's a ten race shootout.  Whoever gains the most points amongst those drivers in those 10 races wins the Championship.  What's not sporty about that?

Caleb - I didn't realize we were taking two paragraphs a piece. Heh heh. Two things. First, you just made a parallel between NASCAR and NASA. If we are measuring sporting endeavors by these elements, then Neil Armstrong is the greatest athlete of all time. Second, the competition of NASCAR does not qualify it as a sport either. Take a look at the television show "Survivor". Contestants are subjected to physical and mental competitive events while they battle against one another. Each week another contestant is kicked off the show and eventually there is a champion. Sounds strangely similar to the criteria you used to legitimize NASCAR as a sport. I can't wait for the next season of "Survivor", it's going to be just as exciting as Daytona. 

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Ryan - Well, it sounds to me like you just made the conclusion that all 'sports' are not actually sports.  What happens in the MLB, NFL, NHL and NBA playoffs?  Teams play against each other, and the losing team is eliminated until there is a champion...just like Survivor.  Except the Survivor champion doesn't get a sweet trophy.  So basically, you lose that argument.  On to the next qualification of sport; team atmosphere.  When you look at other sports, like the big 4, it's a full team playing against each other, with a coach and all.  NASCAR looks to the outside world like an individual sport, which can be done.  Just look at any track and field athlete or archery shooter.  But, NASCAR is a team sport.  First instance: each driver has a full pit crew who is in charge of changing tires, adding gas and making any necessary adjustments.  Oh, and they do that in under 13 seconds.  Doesn't seem like much, but I've seen many races lost because of the pit crew team.  Second instance: Most of the drivers are part of a 'team' of drivers under one owner.  They work together on the track to put all of their drivers in contention for the win at the end.  Sports..it's a team thing, no?

Caleb - As you can probably guess, my argument is based mostly off of personal bias than anything else. However, I have just one more thing to say. What is the definition of insanity? Driving around in circles for 500 miles and expecting people to think it's entertaining. NASCAR just attempted to broaden their fan base by paying T-Pain and 50 Cent to stand in the infield and live tweet the Dayton 500. More than just being hilarious, this is a desperate attempt to convince people around the nation that NASCAR is a relevant and legitimate sport. Call it a competition, call it a hobby, call it a profession but please don't call it a sport. 

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Ryan - Caleb, I understand your bias.  If you don't give NASCAR the time, it won't make sense.  People don't grow up driving cars, they grow up playing baseball and football.  In the end, that's the reason NASCAR isn't categorized as a sport; people can't identify with it.  It has all of the components of other sports, the teams, the playoffs, the weekly competition and a championship.  I dare you to give watching NASCAR a legitimate effort and still say it's not a sport.  I dare you.

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