Why is NASCAR considered a sport?
I don't really get how driving a car around a track several times is a sport (or entertaining in any way). May someone explain to me how NASCAR or any other car racing is a sport. (Not hating on the sport, but I never got how it's considered a sport or entertaining)
February 20, 2011
15 Comments • Newest first
It would be more entertaining if the cars are [i]real[/i] cars.
It requires skill. Not everybody can handle it, and it takes practice. The only thing that keeps it from being a definite sport is that you don't technically exert any effort, the car does.
I really hate watching it though. The car made a left turn... why can't they make a right turn for once! Or better yet, a triangular shaped track. Now THOSE turns would be interesting.
I was thinking this today, but I just don't know how it is. . .
Definition of sport according to Cambridge dictionary:
sport:
[1] a game, competition or activity needing physical effort and skill that is played or done according to rules, for enjoyment and/or as a job
[2] all types of physical activity which people do to keep healthy or for enjoyment
Definition of sport according to Oxford dictionary:
an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment:
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Does driving a car at high speed require a physical effort? Cars were specifically designed to be easy to maneuver (good cars, at least). Because of this, even the fattest people have no problem driving a car. The effort required for driving at faster speeds does not change the effort required, though you do need to have sharper reflexes. Thus, driving a car require negligible amount of physical effort.
Does driving a car keep you healthy? Maybe on an emotional level, but driving a car does not help maintain one's physical health.
Therefore, by the definition of sport according to the Cambridge and Oxford dictionary, car racing (Nascar racing) is not a sport.
Of course, there will be some who will complain, saying that street racing is not the same as Nascar racing (which really is a glorified version of street racing).
Let's look at some other sports. Soccer is considered a sport because it requires physical effort and skill. Players are required to run across the playing field and maneuver the ball towards the goal. Playing soccer is healthy because it requires a lot of running towards the ball or the goal. The fact that soccer is a sport does not change whether it's practiced in a small room (=amateur level) or at the world cup (=pro level). The same goes for basketball, baseball, golf, etc, etc. Street racing (=amateur level) is not a sport, so why should Nascar racing (=pro level) be considered a sport? That makes no sense.
Unless someone can convince me that driving a car do require a physical effort and helps maintain a physical health, I'd say that it's not a sport (according to Cambridge and Oxford definition at least)
in my opinion nascar really isnt a sport but thats just me
[quote=shadowthedark]well actually, you can see the skill in football and tennis. football and tennis also prove to be rather interesting to watch, with very few boring moments. nascar is really like "oh now they're making a left turn, i wonder what they'll do next? OMG can you believe it? another left turn."[/quote]
Well crap.
Cuz hitting a ball back and forth or a bunch of men running into each other is oh so interesting.
To each his own, I suppose.
Why is competitive StarCraft considered a sport? When it comes down to it, if it requires skill, brainpower, and if people watch it, it is a sport.
Only champions like Tony Stewart who have to be in top physical condition can be NASCAR drivers.
http://www.autoart.com/images/Noonie%20and%20Tony%20Stewart%20resize.jpg
[quote=EnterAndWin]Rednecks love it[/quote]
[quote=Caeg]Cause them damn red necks and vagisil.[/quote]
Holy s**t, I love you two.
[quote=brownone777]NASCAR just involves holding the steering wheel left. Formula 1, on the other hand, is an actual sport. F1 drivers need to be in top physical condition and have the reflexes of a fighter pilot. Imagine going through hairpin turns, at 150 mph. The g-forces on your body are massive, and one wrong movement of the wheel can send your car flying.[/quote]
Actually, you've got it backwards. The physical demands are far greater in NASCAR. Both sports, however, require a great deal of skill.
Because oh my god did you just see that left turn? He did it perfectly! Again!
ok it's not just driving a car in a circle
like how football isn't just running across a field to score
and how tennis is just hitting a ball back and forth
you're making it way more simple than it actually is
Requires pacing yourself, and knowledge of drafting.
I agree, it's quite possibly the most boring thing to watch (aside from crashes, which, due to high speeds (150mph+) are quite spectacular)
But NASCAR isn't as easy as it seems.
As for other racing (Formula 1-3, Rally, GT, Drifiting, etc.) where the tracks have several different turns, there is quite a lot of skill required (phenomenal reflexes, car control, keeping the rear in check, etc.).
Oh, I forgot about them.
Cause them damn red necks and vagisil.