What is the appeal of NASCAR? Is it a sport?

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

I know there are a lot of people who like NASCAR, but I'm not one of them. It just loks boring every time I see it in passing on TV.

Is it a sport? If so, why? I just can't get my arms around the fact that some consider it a sport.

[Radical Activist]

1. Its no more a sport than golf.

Ok, it might be more sport-like than golf, but I would call either one recreational activities more than sports.

[sasquatch]

53. It's actually less of a sport than golf

[GreenPartyVoter]

109. My hubby considers golf to be more of a sport than cheerleading because

he doesn't believe any performance competition with subjective scoring should be considered a sport.

[Radical Activist]

147. I might agree

But I prefer cheerleaders to golfers.

[ProfessorGAC]

151. Hey, Watch The Golfer Hatin'!

I play. Not everyone who plays is a right wing dumbass. I belong to a club, but it isn't any country club. Just golf!
The Professor

[GreenPartyVoter]

152. What about cheerleaders who like minigolf? Are they ok?

[Radical Activist]

153. Minigolf is good

that works.

[taterguy]

2. You asked two questions

It's a sport because a secret cabal meets and decides what is and isn't a sport. Generally I think anything you can do at a peak level past the age of 40 isn't a sport but the cabal disagrees. It does require an extraordinary amount of coordination, reflexes, endurance and cajones. The appeal is that driving fast is a nearly universal desire and fans can live vicariously through the drivers. They also do a great job of marketing. The drivers are more accessible than almost any other sports stars.

[realisticphish]

3. it's a sport

in the same way that the luge is a sport, or bobsledding. I hate NASCAR, but it's certainly a sport

[CatholicEdHead]

4. People doing things with cars you only wish you could do with yours

We all have a need for speed on the road and are in virtual races every day on the road with other cars.

[LSK]

5. do you ask the appeal of everything else out there too??

Why not a post of what is the appeal of the Home Shoppping Network or the Weather Channel?!?!

The world is full of different interests and if you dont like something DONT WATCH IT!

[hfojvt]

11. those are only on cable

Nascar invades my free TV. The Sunday wasteland of TV - it's infomercials, Nascar and golf.

Fortunately I have the internets to keep me from having to read a book.

[Patiod]

56. They had it on in the gym, here in non-NASCAR land

Today at the gym: Faux News (blonds in peril! Iranians ready to drop atom bombs on us anyday! Michael Chertoff so doesn't suck!), NASCAR, "Die Hard with a Vengence" and another really atrocious "action" movie.

I need to find another gym, or one that's willing to put on something higher quality, like VH1 Celebreality or Animal Planet's Funniest Pets or that show where they copy a $75,000 designer room for about $1500...

[moof]

6. The appeal of nascar is that it is the type of commercial that the masses

will willingly watch for hours with no thought of it being nothing more than a nonstop commercial collage for the sponsers.

[LSK]

7. or maybe its cars going 200 mph????

:shrug:

[jakefrep]

8. Loud noises and shiny objects, perhaps? eom

[graywarrior]

9. It's a cult.

[Burma Jones]

10. Here We Go Again....

:popcorn:

[bigwillq]

12. I feel it's a sport.

There's a hell of a whole lot of strategy involved in winning those races. To me, that makes it a sport.
Plus, it's not easy driving a car around a track at 180 MPH.

[ContraBass Black]

138. I would call it a sport because of the physical motion and competition

rather than than the strategy.

I don't think professional chess or poker are sports.

[SeattleGirl]

13. Why does this question always come up regarding NASCAR?

And why do some people continue to stereotype NASCAR fans? I'm a life-long fan, and my love of the sport (yes, sport) comes from the fact that my parents both raced. I'm not a repuke, I'm not a Bushbot, I'm a flaming liberal who happens to like this particular motor sport. Why not ask this question about football, or baseball, or basketball? Why not stereotype fans of those sports? The snobbishness of lefties toward those of us who happen to like NASCAR never ceases to amaze me.

[vikegirl]

21. Here, here!

What she said! :applause:

[SeattleGirl]

22. Thanks vikegirl!

:toast:

[vikegirl]

26. Thank YOU for articulating it so well!

:yourock: Like you, I inherited the love of the sport from my parents. I've met the "king" of the sport, Richard Petty, when I was 7. I know he's a diehard Repug, but he couldn't have been any nicer. He patted me on top of the head and said I was a "special" little girl. And when I met him, there were people of all races and ethnicities surrounding him, and he was gracious to every single person. Not all Southerners are "rednecks"--and neither are all NASCAR fans.

NASCAR involves a lot more strategy than one might think. I won't get into the particulars, but it isn't just driving round and round all day.

[SeattleGirl]

29. Watching NASCAR is like watching any other sport

You have to learn and understand the strategies, etc. Football may look like a bunch of big guys running around the field, or bashing into each other, unless you understand football. Same with baseball, basketball, etc. You just have to know the game/sport so you understand what it is you're watching.

That's cool you got to meet Richard Petty! NASCAR drivers are the most accessible sports figures left in America. Hopefully it will stay that way.

[Oeditpus Rex]

39. What could you possibly know about sport strategy?

You're a girl.









:hide:

[SeattleGirl]

41. You're in trouble now, Mister!

:spank: :spank: :spank: :spank: :spank:










:rofl:

[Oeditpus Rex]

43. Works every time

[SeattleGirl]

45. LOL!

You's a bad man! :evilgrin:

[In_The_Wind]

63. Oh My!

:spank:

[SeattleGirl]

67. Thanks Joani!

:rofl:

[In_The_Wind]

79. I didn't forget how.

And of course I'm always ready willing and able to lend a hand when it's the proper thing to do.

[SeattleGirl]

82. That's why you're such a good friend!

And such a naughty girl! :evilgrin:

[Oeditpus Rex]

91. And sometimes it even works residually

Love them collateral spankin's. :evilgrin:

[In_The_Wind]

99. *note to self*

kidnap SeattleGirl :evilgrin: :woohoo::evilgrin: the more the merrier :evilgrin:

[SeattleGirl]

101. You can kidnap me any time!

Especially if OR is part of the deal! :evilgrin:

[In_The_Wind]

104. Sounds like a plan!

:evilgrin:

[XOKCowboy]

24. AMEN!

The snobbish attitude in some of these posts is what alienates middle of the road people. It's a legitimate form of entertainment. Not all NASCAR fans are bill-swilling rednecks.

[SeattleGirl]

25. Exactly!

And not all NASCAR fans live in the South, or any of the other stereotypical things people think of us. I would think folks would be happy that there ARE, in fact, very liberal, lefty NASCAR fans!

[Ivan Sputnik]

44. Hmm

It's, uh, interesting that this question never comes up regarding Formula 1 racing.

http://www.formula1.com/

[Hosnon]

146. Exactly...why is Indy Racing a sport?...never comes up...nt

[Orangepeel]

14. why do people like horseracing?

It's the same thing, only in cars instead of on horses.

Is horseracing a sport? I guess that is subject to the same debate.

[Allenberg]

15. I'm not a NASCAR guy,

I don't think its a sport the same way I don't think golf or bowling is sport. More of an activity.

That said, I have a lot of respect for the drivers and crew members. I know I sure couldn't endure going 200mph around an oval for a few hours inches away from other cars/walls. Those guys are extremely good, highly trained, and have great endurance. I just don't see the appeal of seeing who can get around an oval faster. I do like the street courses, though.

[CatholicEdHead]

16. They have their own day or soon to be federal holiday

as Will Ferrell would put it:

http://foundation.nascar.com/NetCommunity/Page.aspx?&pid=279&srcid=279


/just saw the commerical on NBC

[DS1]

17. If Ice dancing is a sport, then I suppose NASCAR is

Neither involve much skill, just a bunch of tarts going around in circles

[vi5]

18. I loathe Nascar, but it's most definitely a sport...

...but I loathe all sports soI'm probably not a good judge.....But I can't see how it involves less skill or physical endurance than any other individualized sport (as oppossed to team sports).

[Arugula Latte]

19. My nine-year-old son likes it ...

He must've received some recessive redneck gene or something ... ;)

As for me, I'll never get it. Ooh, there's a car ... Hey, there it is again ... You're not going to believe this, but it came by AGAIN!

[OhioBlue]

48. if you go to a race, you will get it.

:)

[Kathleen04]

20. You pick a guy you want to win.

You sit there watchin how he does.
Eat some food.
And drink some beer.
It's not all bad.
Relax.
Or, change the channel.

[XOKCowboy]

23. Some people take driving seriously

and not just as a way to go to the grocery store. These guys are driving at a level that is way above what you or I will ever know. Have you ever tried subjecting yourself to high Gs and speeds of up to 200 mph with 8 other cars around you? It's nothing like a run up the interstate in your minivan.

[Twillig]

34. NASCAR and "high Gs?!"

C'mon this isn't Formula One and none of these driver are M. Schumacher. Maybe they could be, but they drive around on high banks in cars that restrict the
go-faster technology to decades-ago technology.

But they're still damn fast, and it is a sport no matter how many times they say
the phrase "our sport" as if it's a RW talking point..

If anything, as dangerous as it is, I feel it doesn't have that threat of omni-present lethality that Open wheel formula cars have.

It's o.k. in other words. :-)

[Blue_Tires]

27. nascar = pouring skittles in the toilet and flushing

it's just not legit motorsport, imo

[bumblebee1]

121. That's cute, Blue_Tires-

Told hubby that one. He said, "Don't give me any ideas." I suppose you'll like this one: Do you know what NASCAR stands for? Non Athletic Sport Created Around Rednecks.

[Blue_Tires]

139. i can't take credit for it

saw it on the interweb somewhere....

and honestly, i grew up in HUGE nascar country, and i was a big fan as a kid (and this was a time when black folks were not even supposed to like nascar)...but as i grew up, i just found other forms of motorsport that i enjoyed better (WRC, F1, ALMS, etc etc). and if you want to get into the hardcore technical side of it, very little real-world technology and research comes out of racing these antiquated machines on 2-mile ovals

[KFC]

28. Watch it live

I pretty much had utter distain for all car racing until I saw a grand prix live. Then a Nascar race. These people are among the baddest on the planet. You really can't understand until you see it close up.

[SeattleGirl]

30. I've been to 3 NASCAR races, and loved it

The first race, we were sitting up high in the stands. The last two, we were three rows from the fence, and that was the BEST! I watch the races on TV every season, but you're right -- watching a race in person is a whole other animal.

[Kerrytravelers]

31. For me, this picutre says a lot:

[SeattleGirl]

35. Aw, come on now! That is one fan, not representative

of all of us. And besides, have you ever noticed how crazy-as-all-get-out that NFL fans can be at a game? Painted faces, wigs, costumes, etc. There are some whacky fans in all sports, methinks.

:hi:

[Kerrytravelers]

46. My dad LOVES NASCAR! I'm just playin'!

:toast:

[SeattleGirl]

47. I actually saw that picture the other day

Yeesh! That is one ugly backside! I would NEVER shave MY back!
:rofl:

[Kerrytravelers]

49. I posted it... right before dinner (I'm so evil!)

[SeattleGirl]

50. Indeed you are!

:rofl:

[Hosnon]

144. Seriously...have you seen what some football fans do? nt

[SeattleGirl]

148. No kidding!

I've been to one NFL game, and I don't care to go to another, even though I love football. Those people were freakin' scary!

[Ikonoklast]

150. Especially when you realize that the person on the right is...

......a girl.:hide:

[deadparrot]

32. Flamewar time.

;)

To me, hell no. It holds the same appeal for me as sitting and watching a highway overpass. But it is something like the most popular sport/"sport" in America, so I'm obviously missing something. I'm a hockey/football/baseball girl...no NASCAR for me. :shrug:

[Renew Deal]

33. It is a sport.

Though I agree, it can be boring.

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

36. Ok. judging by some of the Pro-Nascar posts

I'll give it another look when the next race is on.

I'm not putting down those who watch it but it has too many non-natural (machinated) elements for my taste. And I don't mean to denigrate the intelligence of those who like it. I'm just curious as to what people see in it.

I will give it another chance.

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

37. Question about the drivers

Are they generally in good shape or does that not matter?

[SeattleGirl]

38. They are generally in good shape, though it wasn't always so

More and more of the drivers are paying attention to their health and their physical well-being. They eat well, and work out, because it gives them more stamina for driving, particularly the longer races. It may sound funny to think of having to be in shape just to drive, but if you've ever taken a long road trip, driving for hours at a time, you might see why the drivers want to be in good shape. I know that driving 600 miles in a weekend can tire me out!

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

40. Thanks for that

And again, I wasn't putting down the intelligence of Nascar fans. I was genuinely interested in what its appeal was, coming from a non-Nascar fan.

[SeattleGirl]

42. You're welcome!

Try listening to the commentators, because they talk about strategy quite a bit. :hi:

[Bombero1956]

119. check out the cover

of the latest ESPN the magazine. Carl Edwards is on the cover. Mark Martin gets up everyday at 4:30 to work out.

[OhioBlue]

51. the next race is in California

if you still find it boring, try again when they are at Bristol or Talledaga - those races are usually pretty exciting. It's also more interesting if you pick a driver to pull for. You can borrow mine - Mark Martin. ;) He is a good guy, this is his last year, he's pretty well liked by all of his fellow drivers, unselfish, etc..

If you like the front runner / hard ass type - Tony Stewart was last year's champ and he was pretty rude on the track today. (Sorry to offend any TS fans)

But honestly, I didn't get it until i went to a race. The cars are things of beauty IMO. The power that goes through your body when the field takes the green flag is just overwhelming.....

[SeattleGirl]

52. When I went to my first race, I was just overwhelmed

by the power of the cars. When they came around turn 3 in Las Vegas, where I was sitting, they sounded like the Blue Angels on wheels. They are an amazing site, indeed.

[OhioBlue]

54. i know - my first was in Michigan

I went to the Busch race on Sat. and thought I knew what to expect.... But OMG, when the cup cars go green.... it just goes right through you. You don't know why, but you just HAVE to smile and cheer.

My cousin - i took her to her first race, it was so funny - when the cars went green, it scared the shit out of her. She nearly jumped out of her skin.

[SeattleGirl]

57. How close to the track have you had seats?

My first Vegas race, I was high up in the stands, but the last two I was three rows up from the fence, which I like a lot more! We were actually getting pelted with the little rubber "pebbles" that come off the tires!

[OhioBlue]

61. yeah - in Charlotte

one year we were in row 8 and had the same thing. I had to wear my sunglasses through the night race b/c I kept getting stuff in my eyes. I wasn't complaining tho - it was a great time. The cup race in Michigan, we were around row 20. Usually when I go to Charlotte, we sit on the back stretch b/c it is cheaper and you still get the power, but not like the year I sat on the front stretch down low.

[SeattleGirl]

62. How many tracks have you been to?

Just Michigan and Charlotte, or more than that? I've only been to Vegas. It's the closest one to me, and I love, love, love the town!

[OhioBlue]

71. yes, just Michigan and Charlotte.

Michigan is close, but camping up there is usually pretty harsh ( a group of guys in our circle of friends goes every year)

I like Charlotte a lot, camping there is always a blast. we made friends with a group from SC and e-mail back and forth - they go early and usually save a camping spot for us. Even tho most of them may be repukes, there is something to be said for Southern manners.

[SeattleGirl]

83. Agreed -- Southern manners help keep tempers in check

And keep mouths from spouting off! That's really cool that you made friends with some other fans!

[vikegirl]

55. Tony's rudeness...

is why we find him so endearing! Cheers for bad-ass Tony! :toast:

[OhioBlue]

59. yeah - my b/f is mostly a Jr. fan

but he likes Tony too for the same reason. I usually get irked when drivers intentionally take each other out - but he likes it.:shrug:

Tony's all right - I guess he makes things interesting.

[Maddy McCall]

74. Yuck! I can't stand Earnhardt or Stewart.

I'm a Gordon girl...and I love Kayne, too. :D

[SeattleGirl]

84. Kasey is my driver!

He's from Enumclaw, WA, which is not too far southeast of Seattle.

[vikegirl]

86. When NASCAR forced Stewart to take anger management

classes, he lost some of his zing. But there are flashes of his I'll-blow-any-minute demeanor. Like today...that's my Tony.

I know some think he's a bloated fart, but I think he's hot! Just shave, okay, Tony? Who do you think you are, Jake Plummer?

[OhioBlue]

88. Tony and the anger management.....

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

btw - true he did calm down a bit.

[XOKCowboy]

97. Jake Plummer LOL

[malmapus]

143. I use to be a huge fan myself

Kinda just lost interest though. But there is alot to NASCAR, there really is alot of strategy involved (a hell of alot more than just making a bunch of right hand turns). That is what I enjoyed most when I did, just wish my 88 car would of won some lol.

But yeah, former NASCAR fan and never been a part of that Bushbot stereotype.

[Patiod]

58. I think it's boring

But keep in mind that thought comes from someone who is happy as pie to pay for Phillies season tickets to sit around for 3 hours a night drinking beer and watching about 10 total minutes of actual sports action....

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

66. Not only that.....

But you're going to finish behind the Mets this year.....:evilgrin:

I live in L.A., and though the Mets are my team, I have Angels season tickets. :toast:

[Patiod]

113. Oh God, anyone but the Mets

True story -- back in the day, my one girlfriend and I were at the Vet (the old Phillies stadium) and sat through 9 whole innings in front of a bunch of rabid intoxicated Mets fans, who were cursing and screaming through the whole game.

Later, as we're driving home up Broad Street, who pulls up next to us, but those same drunken yahoos, looking for directions. We had come straight from work, and looked like regular civilians, and not Phillies fans. My friend sweetly and politely gave them directions into a pretty bad area, assuring them that it would be the most direct route to get onto 95 North.

Ah, my favorite Mets Memory!

[XOKCowboy]

60. If nothing else there's the Jeff Gordon Is Gay contingent...

although I've always attributed it to his diction and the fact he wins (or won) a lot of races.

[OhioBlue]

64. lol - we were at a race party today

and my b/f (1st a Jr. fan) has started to like Gordon over the last year b/c he did good for him in his fantasy league last year. We were all teasing him about being a Gordon fan and telling him to drink wine coolers and put on a skirt.......

[Maddy McCall]

69. Gordon's a great person.

His foundation helps children, and that makes him a superstah to me. :D

[Maddy McCall]

68. Really? I've heard that it's Earnhardt Jr. who's gay.

At any rate, even with suspicions of them being gay, they are STILL two of the most popular drivers.

[OhioBlue]

73. very true...

it wouldn't be half as fun if we didn't tease each other about our favorite drivers.

[Maddy McCall]

76. Indeed, and that's part of NASCAR that people who don't watch it...

don't understand. :D

I've got a local rivalry with female friends. In our area, it's watched by everyone: all races, both sexes.

It's no longer a white male thing, anyway. :D

[XOKCowboy]

85. Now that outta control Stewart guy.... :)

Nascar is like any other sport in that you get into the personalities of whoever is participating. Just like football, baseball, soccer or any sport. Plus I like high speeds and would love to one day drive a true Nascar or F1 or CART/IRL or racing motorcycle. For a gear head it has that appeal.

[OhioBlue]

87. ever thought of doing the Petty experience?

I know they have it in Charlotte - probably at other tracks too.

[SeattleGirl]

89. My mom did that a few years ago when she was in NC

She decided not to actually drive -- said she know that a NASCAR rig would be a hell of a lot different that the stock cars she used to drive! But she took a few laps around the track with one of the instructors, and had an absolute blast! I'd love to do that, 'cause I love goin' fast!

[XOKCowboy]

92. Never had the chance...

Is it at most Nascar tracks? I do a lot of travelin' down south in the summer. It's something I'd like to try.

[OhioBlue]

93. yes, it looks like it is at most NASCAR tracks - I found the site

http://www.1800bepetty.com/location/location_master.html

Me - I think I'm too chicken. i might do a ride along, but I sure wouldn't drive.

[XOKCowboy]

96. What? No Talledega except for Rookie Experience? lol

That's pretty cool. Thanks for the link. I've got it bookmarked. If I do it I'll let ya know what it's like.

[OhioBlue]

103. you're welcome

yes - if you do it, let us know what it's like!

[vikegirl]

95. Hey! No dissing Stewart!

Or I'll knock you off the track--err, I mean Internet--like you're Matt Kenseth!

:evilgrin: Sorry, I think Tony was channeling me...

[SeattleGirl]

105. Remind me not to get anywhere near you, then, vikegirl!

:rofl:

[XOKCowboy]

110. That was funny....

Kenseth asking for a clarification over his radio? Come on. Take it like a man Matt and do the penalty pass through...

OK I'll begrudgingly give you that Tony's a good driver. He just grates on me. That's what makes NASCAR fun. Heck I know some usually rational liberal typse that take it to the point of knowing the name of the guy that holds the gas can in the pit crew. Me I just like the races.

[SeattleGirl]

111. I was cracking up over the whole "interaction" between those two

:rofl:

[Maddy McCall]

65. People frequently disdain that which they do not understand.

[entanglement]

70. I think it's because NASCAR is all caps, like shouting,

and some people like that :shrug:

[Maddy McCall]

72. Only people who spend much time on the internet would think that.

Actually, NASCAR precedes the internet by, what, a half century?

[entanglement]

80. Sorry, but the internet is way cooler, being invented by Gore and all that

}( :smoke:

[Arugula Latte]

90. Our dear leader prezdint says it's the "Internets"

See, there's more than one!

[OhioBlue]

75. so is OSHA

someone correct me if I'm wrong...

National Association of Stock Car Racing = NASCAR

[Maddy McCall]

78. and NOW

:rofl:

[HuskerDU]

77. The appeal of NASCAR is similar to the appeal of baseball

IMO. A lot of it has to do with being like reality soap operas for guys. We like the personalities and have followed the storylines for decades. There are heros and villains and bums.

Still, I love baseball and don't care a lick for NASCAR. I don't really care if it is called a sport or not. If you think it is one, fine, if you don't, fine. No biggy.

[OhioBlue]

81. very good point -

the soap opera part fits in especially watching on TV and talking about it with friends. But also - going to a race is just unbelievable.

[Oeditpus Rex]

100. In 40 years of baseball fandom

I've never paid much attention to the "soap operas." Only rarely, in the cases of my boyhood heroes, has baseball ever been about individuals to me. It's all about a ball club winning ball games.

[HuskerDU]

115. Every season is a soap opera in itself. The drama of winning

and losing games on the field is the soap opera. I wasn't talking about who Derek Jeter is dating or any other off field nonsense.

While I don't have 40 years under my belt, baseball hooked me a long time ago. I cannot wait for the drama to unfold. Each game has it, and it all builds during the season. You can deny that it is like a soap opera, but I bet you will be tuning in to see what happened every game anyway!

[Oeditpus Rex]

118. Yeah, with the score

And how it happened. Nothing else matters.

I guess I just don't know what you mean by "soap opera," unless it's that the season is a daily drama.

I listen to about 300 games a year. And to me, April means one thing: October. :woohoo:

[HuskerDU]

122. Yes the season is a daily drama. Like the poster above says,

it gives us something to talk about every day. So n so looked good today, while another player looked bad. Each game gives you more info about your team. Even during the off season there are signing and trades, hirings and firings.

And of course it all leads to the playoffs, where all the talk and speculation from the season goes out the window and all that matters is winning the World Series. That is the highest drama.

If you keep tuning in day after day, year after year, it seems like a soap opera to me!

[Oeditpus Rex]

125. Okay

I can buy that. :hi:

[HuskerDU]

129. Good luck to your Dodgers!

I'm betting that Nomar has a big year for you guys. Hopefully, my Cubs will see you in the playoffs!

[Oeditpus Rex]

135. I'd *love* to see a Dodgers-Cubs NLCS!

Dodgers still have a couple of key guys hurt, but if they can keep the clubhouse from turning into a triage ward like last year, I think they'll be okay.

[Fox Mulder]

94. No. It's not a sport.

[baldguy]

98. Go fast, turn left.

Not much more to it.

[SeattleGirl]

102. Actually, there is a lot more to it

but I agree, if you don't know much about the sport, it does look like a bunch of cars, going fast, turning left!

[Hosnon]

145. Well you could do that to any sport:

Kick a ball, try for a particular netted area;
Hit a ball with a stick, run in a diamond;
Move a ball, try for a particular area;
Bounce a ball, try to throw it in a circular hoop...

[Canuckistanian]

106. It's just like the cockroach races on M*A*S*H

"People only go to those things to see the crashes"

[SeattleGirl]

107. That line always cracks me up

:rofl:

[spindrifter]

108. NASCAR is not a sport. It's a food.

[leftofthedial]

112. not a sport

shiny, loud, marketed well to its audience, simple

[Presidentcokedupfratboy]

114. So what is the difference between Nextel Cup, Busch Series

and other different series I keep hearing/reading about?

[SeattleGirl]

117. I'll use baseball as an anology:

The Nextel Cup is like playing in the Major League
The Busch Series is like playing at the AAA (Minor League) level.
Those two series are for stock cars.

Formula 1 racing is done using a completely different type of car.

And then there are long road course races, which I actually don't know much about.

[grace0418]

116. I could see the fun in being a driver (although it seems

like it's really bad environmentally speaking with all the fumes, noise and fuel burning) but as far as watching it....zzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

edited to add: that's just my opinion though. I have no beef with people who enjoy it. It's like any other pastime. What is exciting to some may be incredibly boring to others. To each his/her own.

[Bombero1956]

124. Nascar drivers

are for the fans. They understand that without the fans they don't get paid. Case in point, a local sports card shop will be hosting and autograph session by 2 Boston Bruins. The fee to get an autograph from Patrice Bergeron is $25 the day of the session or $20 in advance. The other player is getting $20 on the day of the session $17 in advance. No driver I've ever gotten an autograph from ever asked for a red cent, no matter which driver it was. can't say that for any other sport. They always have their hand out for cash.

[grace0418]

141. That's cool.

Did you mean to respond to my post or just in general? It is cool that they sign autographs for free.

[Ron Green]

120. I believe motor sports' time has come and ought to go.

These activities symbolize and encourage wasteful activities involving automobiles, whose welcome also has worn a bit thin. NASCAR especially seems to be a corporate-driven and celebrity-based product-placement activity for consumers of mass merchandise. Not to disrespect any good liberals here, but I outgrew my loud pipes and I think we all can do the same.

[OhioBlue]

123. well, you have a point about corporate driven

and product placement..... but, it is fun and people like it, so it isn't going away. Honestly the commercial aspect of NASCAR does get to be annoying. I can't tell you how many times people screamed at the TV today about the commercials. But, as far as the wasteful automobile / environment aspect, NASCAR may not be environmentally friendly, but I would guess that a bigger problem / focus would be the "urban sprawl" problem. Where I live it is common place for people to buy up farms and sell them off for 5 acre lots for people to drive and hour to work every day.

Either way, it is culture that is driving the corporate drive / environmentally irresponsible society that we live in and using NASCAR as the scape goat isn't really getting at the heart of the problem.

Just IMO..

[SeattleGirl]

126. I agree with what you are saying, OhioBlue

It seems that the "fossil fuel waste" argument is often used against NASCAR, but I would venture to guess there is less fuel used by these cars than by people who don't try alternate transportation if it's feasible for them, or who drive vehicles that spew oily smoke into the air, etc.

[OhioBlue]

127. yes, and the fact that the things that we buy

as a society are produced or manufactured hundreds of miles away - and shipped via ocean, rail and truck to the stores that we buy them in.

I was in a meeting a few months ago where a short line railroad operator was making a pitch to a local group about a local rail yard.... anyway... he told us about the rail industry and how it is hard to get a container facility b/c the big bus rail ships things in 100 car trains. He said a lot of the industry is being run b/c things mfg in Asia are then shipped to the West Coast and transported by rail. Even things that are going the Europe are shipped to the West Coast, transported by rail and then shipped to Europe - daily. There are a lot bigger fish to fry than NASCAR.

[SeattleGirl]

128. Whoa! I had no idea everything went out via the West Coast

That's amazing, and amazingly stupid and wasteful. If the East Coast is closer in some cases -- and of course it would be -- why not ship it there? Oy. Some folks just do things ass backward!

[OhioBlue]

133. when I heard the rail guy talk, I was a little shocked too

but to clarify - he said that some things mfg in Asia and destined for Europe are shipped to the West coast, transported by rail (via 100 car container trains) to the East coast and then shipped to Europe. Not necessarily that we ship things to Europe via the West Coast.

[bumblebee1]

130. I can't tell you.

I've tried watching a couple of NASCAR races on tv. I even went to a stock car race live. I personally couldn't see the appeal of it. I'm a football, baseball, gymnastics, figure skating and tennis kind of person.

There was a friend of mine who went to a NASCAR race with her husband. His company gave him the tickets. Another friend asked her if she could, will she get Jr's autograph for her. One of the guys at our lunch table was asking her "Why not get Mark Martin's autograph?" Then of course, all the jokes started: Six for sex. Mark Martin gave the rest of the field stiff competition. He was ahead of the rest of the field. (Viagra was a major sponsor of Mark Martin.) As she was leaving, my friend asked, "What was Mark Martin's number again?" The rest of us roared with laughter.

[KitchenWitch]

131. Driving racecars is a SKILL, not a sport.

[Mayberry Machiavelli]

132. Every has some pastime that others consider lame. That's just the way

it is.

My wife loves dog shows, and showing our dogs. I love our dogs but shows bore me to tears.

I love playing foosball and own a table, have played since college. She is completely indifferent to it.

Some people are completely indifferent to professional sports like American football. Many are obviously into it.

NASCAR is just another of those things. I find the very idea of it boring. But it doesn't bother me that some like it, because I know some of the things I'm into, others don't get.

[Kerrytravelers]

134. To really appreciate the races, it helps to watch with someone who

is really into cars, like my dad. Normally, I don't care for the races, but when I watch with my dad, it takes on a whole new perspective.

[NMMNG]

136. I don't get it either. Cars driving in a circle = boring IMO.

:boring:

[SeattleGirl]

137. It really is more than that, Buffy

But, even if someone knows more about what's involved, they still may not like it, or find it interesting. To each their own!

:hi:

[grace0418]

140. *You know what would be really cool?*

If NASCAR led the way by researching and building vehicles with alternative, renewable fuel sources and low or zero emissions. It would add a whole new dimension of competition to the sport and take away my biggest complaint about it (the waste and pollution). Not to mention it would cause a ripple effect amongst its fans.

I know it's a pipe dream but that would be really cool.

[patcox2]

142. Well, they do turn left, thats a good thing.

Left, left left, thats pretty much it.

[Bzzzz]

149. I don't know if you would classify it as a sport or not...

If anyone wants to see how tough it is to drive a full blown racing vehicle...you should take a 3 day driving school that incorporates a shifter cart. If you spend 10 minutes in one of these little beasts, you would see how tough it is to drive a race car. But of course going around a track in a taxi cab, is far from being compared to a F1 formula car. That's like comparing a stealth fighter pilot to a commercial pilot.

[Roland99]

154. It's the adrenaline of the close and tight racing.

Ever get all anxious in rush-hour traffic? Kick that speed up to about 200mph and you start to get an idea!