NASCAR is going to have to do a lot more than put Dale Earnhardt Jr. in a commercial with T.I. or video with Jay-Z to convince the hip-hop community that its athletes are on par with basketball greats Magic Johnson, Michael Jordan, et. al.Herald Sun columnist John McCann says a NASCAR driver isn't any more of an athlete than a mechanical bull or a brother strolling through the 'hood back in the day with a boombox perched on his shoulder. Link to Audio
In fairness, he quotes from Webster defining an athlete as "one having the natural aptitude for physical exercises in sports as strength, agility and endurance"--which drivers undeniably possess. McCann also quotes some guy with credentials from Duke, who contends that the physical demands of driving a racecar qualify the drivers as athletes, citing the tremendous upper body strength, mental concentration, hand-eye coordination and quick reflexes.
NASCAR's #1 athlete and Back 40 Records owner Carl Edwards graces yet another men's magazine cover showin' off his killer bod this month? But I digress ...
So, we can agree that drivers are athletes--or not--but does that mean hip-hop can't embrace NASCAR?
Being a fan of both NASCAR, the most redneck of sports, and hip-hop, the most urban of music, I happen to enjoy the marriage of the two. I was thrilled when I heard about Jay-Z featuring Junior in his video, and I especially love this Chevy Impala SS "Infield" commercial with T.I. and a killer "Sweet Home Alabama" remix:
Chevy had no trouble identifying common denominators of the two fan bases: an affinity for great music and appreciation of a sweet ride.
The good news for NASCAR is, they don't have to convince hip-hop that the drivers are athletes--only that racing is entertainment and that the marketing of the two=cash.
Check please.
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
So I guess Tiger Woods is not an athlete cause he plays golf? Tiger is in top physical shape and could out perform many in other so called traditional sports. So are many of the Drivers in NASCAR.
By the way, as someone who has had the opprotunity to both ride in a NASCAR vehicle both as a passenger with a profesional driver and as a driver myself (I didn't go nearly as fast), all I can say is that I was worn out, it takes its toll on you believe me and to do it for hours at 180 plus miles an hour inches apart. Those guys endure a lot of physical stress and manage to keep it together...for the most part...lol. Oh and when was the last time you heard anything about a NASCAR driver being on steroids?
Maybe it is not the traditional type of "sport", maybe the drivers are not drafted out of college, actually I think that is what makes them more likeable, they are closer to you and I the average Joe...and for the most part a hell of a lot more like someone I would want my kids to look up as role models as opposed to our four traditional sports players behavior. NASCAR....its not just a sport, it's a way of life.
I don't care if someone else considers racing drivers "athletes." If you want to nit pick, is a pole vaulter an athlete? He runs a short distance, then uses a device to vault over the bar. Sure, he needs strength, coordination and talent to do that. But so too does a racing driver need strength, coordination and talent to use his tool/weapon/impliment to negotiate a course of hundreds of miles in the shortest amount of time and hopefully win the race.
What's the difference? The racing driver does it sitting down. Then again, so does a competitive rower.
I don't think that the question is really whether or not racing drivers are athletes, but whether or not motorsports are, in fact, "sports." The answer is that football, soccer, baseball, basketball, etc., are games. A sport is something in which the contestant risks life, limb, honor and or family fortune. By this definition, auto racing is a sport. The original "Sports' Page" was published in the London Daily News, back in the early 19th Century. It was called the "Sports' Page," because it published the results of various games and contests of the day(s) before, so that the "Sports," those gentlemen who wagered on those contests, could settle their bets.
In the final analysis, whether or not racing drivers are athletes, or motor racing is really a "sport," is a silly argument that proves nothing meaningful. The fact remains that motorsports are very popular worldwide, and in the USA, NASCAR Cup racing is right up there with the ball sports as far as popularity is concerned.
I dont know how a person can even suggest that a Nascar driver is not a true athlete. The stamina and endurance that these men need to have and the energy is more then any of us could imagine. Besides the upper body strength. Its a sport of mind and body.
Thank you Sir Wood, an insightful summary of Overpayed wastful male aggressive domination fed by greed of commercial profit and foolish pride. Not that I dont enjoy it , lets be thankful for the voluptous cheerleaders, trophy girls, and golddigging ..um.. athletic healthy girls gone wild that accompany these " sports of champions " So you mean they drive 2oo mph for 500 miles, burning toxic fuels and consuming all sorts of pleasures while the world needs ....and the suffering third world does get some charity by the hope to become ...us, Some athletes score adulterous fans, a different one in each 26 city road trip , says Jose Canceco in his expose' book (except pitcher Rodger Clemens)good man, atheles or not isnt the problem , Humanitarian or not should be the question . 27 million fo 5 years ? how many mill do you need , they should race and play ball for food ,,,,ha ha hah yeah right !
..... Um, another idea, Can you imagine a women's pro basketball competition with all sexy fasion model players wearing stilletto high heels, hot pants, and wet t shirts ? (saw a commercial once) brilliant ? you bet ! oh ! a sport to wager on ,,,I'll wager a captive audience. Profits of ads go to feed the hungry and promote love , not war. Chubby leauge ? God Forbid !
If you don't think Nascar driver are athletes you need to put yourself in one of N.A.S.A.'s G- Forse test machines and see if you can withstand the G-Forse's that a driver goes through during a race. And wouldn't even include the consentration and reflexes required to drive in a pro race. Think about it?
Of course NASCAR drivers are athletes. You don't think any of those 350lb lineman would last 500 miles at an average speed of 140. They would pass out by the end of the first few laps... if any one of them could even wedge themselves into a car. Maybe when NASCAR starts a series for Chevy Suburbans. Of course if we really want to get down to cases, none of them are pure athletes. All they are is Hollywood on the gridiron or hardwood. Once they are out of college or high school they are entertainers.
simple question simple answer----racing is a sport and the drivers get paid for it = professional athlete
as for indurance and being in shape how about professional pool? there's a toughy!!!!!
keep the smell of rubber in the air--peace db
Here we go again......some guy gets the whole world in an uproar for saying some bad things about black female athletes and here we have to read about the most "redneck" of sports..... when will we see fairness