When people learn that I am a NASCAR fan the same question always comes up… “How can you like that? It’s not even a real sport!”
They may even be right, NASCAR certainly isn’t a “traditional sport”, but before addressing the “Sport or Not” question, let me paint you a picture to help you understand what brings us motorheads to love racing so much.
It’s another beautiful Sunday afternoon, and you’re sitting in the grandstands with 100,000 or so of your new best friends. Beers are being passed around, and then those magical words come across the PA; “Gentlemen, start your engines.” Suddenly, all your senses are called upon; your ears are perked, the hair on your arms is raised and chills run down your spine. Those 43 bright and colourful cars come rolling off pit-lane following the flashing lights of the pace car as they assume their positions on the warm-up lap.
As you look across the crowd, you notice the masses donning brightly coloured red headphones, listening in on the conversations between their favorite driver and their crew chiefs. As the same 43 cars come past your seat for a second time, you’re standing with everyone else, cheering and screaming. But as those cars come racing past you at 190 mph you can’t hear the guy two seats away from you.
Sports are generally safe. Most are played with a nice flow and cadence, with an occasional bump between players. Others, say mixed martial arts, football and hockey, where physicality is an important part of the game, are even safe for the most part. Yes, injuries happen, even some serious ones, but 99% of the time (give or take) everyone gets back up and keeps playing. Not so much in the world of NASCAR. A bump or a hard hit at 190 mph heading into a turn can much more serious, though it’s not the norm per se. Less serious impacts usually end with a driver’s day being over, followed by a trip to the infield medical center. Most of the time, due to safety advancements and precautions, it’s just a lost day at the track, with no money made, and a drop in the points series, which could result in a lost shot at the championship down the road (pun intended).
Earlier today I drove to work, perhaps behind you, driving at 60 mph with a car length and a half between us. Seems like not a lot of room, right? You imagined me that close and likely felt I was somewhat reckless, right?
On Sunday, Jimmie Johnson and Tony Stewart drove down the front stretch at 190 mph with 3 inches of space between them heading into Turn Three with Kyle Busch 6 inches on the outside trying to pass. See where I’m going with this? Down the straight away they were still at it, this time bumping fenders, bumpers and quarters, trying to take that lead. Suddenly, Casey Mears cut a tire and hit the wall bringing out the caution flag. The radios were a-buzz between drivers and crew chiefs, and one could hear 21-year old Trevor Bayne telling his crew chief, Donnie Wingo, that the Ford is tight. At the same time, 53-year old Mark Martin was telling his crew chief, Rodney Childers, that his Toyota was loose.
The pack of cars came down pit lane with the crews itching to jump across the wall, change four tires, fill the car with fuel, make the needed suspension adjustments, clean the grill for better airflow and clear the windshield. Oh, and that was expected to take all of 13 seconds. A one-second delay and one could expect to move back about 10 spots in the re-start order.
Back out behind the pace car, and awaiting the green, drivers and crew chiefs had fingers crossed that all the adjustments worked. If not a driver can expect to plummet away from the leaders in a hurry. With the re-start they were at back at it again. With 43 cars racing, bumping and passing at upwards of 190+ mph for 500 miles you can imagine that things can go bad in an instant, and oftentimes does. If all goes right, on the other hand, then the driver might just crack the top ten. With a little luck, well, a lot of luck, and some great driving, that top 10 could turn a driver into one of the lucky ones that gets a NASCAR win. It’s not easy, but damn, how exhilarating it must be.
So the next time someone tells you NASCAR isn’t a sport, tell them, “You’re damn right it’s not a sport – it’s racing.” NASCAR needs no definition, and does not need to fit into some mould. Just go watch a race. Hear the sounds, see the cars, and experience race day for yourself.
… and that is the Last Word.
