NASCAR: is it a sport?

[gristl24]

I don't know about you guys but NASCAR really annoys the hell out of me. So I was curious, do people consider NASCAR a sport?

[Jedigreedo]

Yep. They get out there, they drive at over 150 MPH, they have to keep in aerodynamic driving, and they have to avoid hitting cars that come within [ ] from them.

If you don't like it, don't watch it.

[gristl24]

I don't watch it, but it seems like it's everywhere. That and my step-dad is obsessed with it ever since Dale Earnhart died.

[The Guard]

It's boring as hell if you aren't driving, but I think it's a sport. You have to stay in relatively good shape. You actually get fatigued doing that, and lose muscle, ect. Most racers go through training programs and keep in good shape.

[Jowy Blight]

I honestly don't get how people can sit and watch cars drive around in a circle for hours on end. It bores me personally, I fall asleep long before it ends. If your the driver though, then it looks like it would be a great way to spend your time.

Assuming you don't crash of course. :D

[Jedigreedo]

They drive around in circles because it helps them maintain the speed, they go over 150 MPH, and in order to do that they need an everlasting track. So instead of going in a straight line to maintain the speed, they use aerodynamics in order to help them maintain good speed while going around the track in laps.

True they still just go around in laps, but then again so do alot of things and people never complain about them just going around in circles.

[jeffrey 228]

I would not mind if ti is a sport or not but I'm undecited on this one although I never watch this sport anyway.

[Failure]

Racing may be physically straining, but there's a lot of things in the world that are physically straining. Construction work for one. I've never considered driving a sport, so I don't consider Nascar a sport. I guess more of a form of entertainment.

[Outlander00]

I think its a sport like golf or tennis... Its more fun to play than to watch...

[Magwheel]

Originally posted by Failure
Racing may be physically straining, but there's a lot of things in the world that are physically straining. Construction work for one. I've never considered driving a sport, so I don't consider Nascar a sport. I guess more of a form of entertainment.

Construction work! haha! :D That could be true. But, construction workers are making builings and stuff, which need to be built, while nascar drivers aren't filling any specific need - it's physically strenuous and demanding recreation. It's fun to do, and according to many, fun to watch. And they move fast! :D That is part of what fits my flexible definition of sport, so I'd vote yes.... though watching it on tv, or more so, at the track.... hmmm, no thanks. It's among the many sports (or other genres of entertainment) I do not much care to watch. :p

I guess I'd call it entertainment for the spectators, and sport for participants :)

Another consideration if we really want to pursue this question would be, I think, 'Does it require that the participants are athletes?'

[Patrick Bateman]

I find NASCAR to be one of the most boring things I've ever seen on TV. It's only out-bored by golf. Cars driving in circles for three and a half hours. Oh, the excitement! :rolleyes:

[gtracer72]

NASCAR is not what it used to be. This year is even worst, with everu car having the same car template. I mean, you can't even tell a Dodge from a Chevy from a Ford without the decals. Its pathetic now. I remember when it used to be about racing. And NASCAR has infected other racing series as well, like my beloved Formula One racing. NASCAR races are boring now. Sure the drivers complain about aero push this and that, but its not what NASCAR used to be. Go watch some of the old races, that is what NASCAR should be now,

As for a sport, I think it is. The drivers do a lot of physical training to withstand the races. At Daytone, they hit over 180 like its nothing, thats a lot of force on the body for 500 miles. And also, they do have 2 road courses, so its thankfully not all loop tracks. But the reason it has become boring is because all the new tracks that are being built are superspeedways. This means that they can sell more tickets and make more money. This also means the cars are more focued on aerodynamics, and not what they should be, leave the aerodynamics to F1. But anyway, you can all thank the current President, Mike Helton, for the wrong direction in which the sport has taken.

[ccffan01]

I like when the cars explode.


1337 posts.....

[Good Ol' Batmanuel!]

Originally posted by ccffan01
I like when the cars explode.
Isn't that the only reason why most people watch it? ;)

Seriously, though, NASCAR is extremely boring to me. Watching cars go around an oval for hours on end is mind-numbing. :p That's why I watch WRC, which my signature testifies to. The cars are cooler (and safer), the tracks are completely unpredictable and the level of driving skill is higher than in just about any other motorsport.

[TimTwoFace]

Is it a sport? Yep...I don't think of it as a real "team" sport in the same sense as hockey, baseball, basketball, football, or soccer, but it still counts. At the same time, though, I find it incredibly dull - but admittedly, I'm not a huge car nut to begin with. :p

-Tim

[Trent Lane]

Yes, it's a sport. Not as much as it used to be, but still a sport all the same. I find it exciting still, but if you want the good stuff find a copy of the 1979 Daytona 500. That's real racing, and there's even a boxing match on the last lap! ;)

[Kat Pryde]

Yep, yep, yep! It’s a sport alright. A bunch of people putting all they have on one goal by the end of the year, competing against others, their crew always close behind them when they need help, and the game suspense! But they don’t have scores each game day.


=^-^=

[Defector]

Although I find other car racing series better (WRC, F1) It is alright, somtimes. It is a proven fact that NASCAR is THE MOST popular sport in America.
btw: What happen to the good ol' days of NASCAR. Now it seems like all there is, is a bunch of rookies comicng into the sport; who do nothing but crash everyone out!


this is my 666 post!

[ROBBOT]

I prefer tennis

[cross blues]

I think CART and IRL count as sports, but not NASCAR. I don't think it takes much talent to drive a car like that.

[Pilmedium]

I consider it a competitive sport. I do not like it that much, though.

[gtracer72]

Originally posted by Defector

btw: What happen to the good ol' days of NASCAR. Now it seems like all there is, is a bunch of rookies comicng into the sport; who do nothing but crash everyone out!


this is my 666 post!

Its just that time for a swtiching over I guess. And its not all the rookies who crash everyone. In the words of Kurt Busch "All those decrepate has beens back there" are the ones who cause the wrecks. Like Jimmy Spencer, Todd Bodine, etc.

But anyway, atleast my beloved Formula One raceing begins soon. :D:D

[FavreFactor]

I think it is because people are racing and are trying to win so there is some battling.

-FavreFactor

[ThorMX624]

I've never watched it, but I guess I do consider it a sport.

[Pilmedium]

Someone from any experience group can cause a crash occasionally. This poll is tied right now.

[gtracer72]

Originally posted by Pilmedium
Someone from any experience group can cause a crash occasionally.

You have to watch the races to understand my statement.