Why would you consider NASCAR to be a sport?

That is why it is called a "Motor" sport. The basis of it is a sport... be the first one to cross the line. But since there is machinery involved, I think calling it a Motorsport, keeps it in the rules.

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Dude, it doesn't get 130 in a tanning bed, it's the type of light that tans you, not the heat. It does get 120 - 130 degrees in a race car and the drivers are covered from head to toe in Nomex fire proof suits with head socks and helmet.. Racing is not like riding down to Florida on vacation for 4 or 5 hours on the highway with the A/C pumping. It is not a leisurely ride at all. It is intense mental focus and physical tension the whole time. No reclining the seat back when your back starts to ache, no stretching your legs at the 7-11, no substitutes for a few plays. The drivers have to hydrate their bodies for 4 or 5 days to stay hydrated enough during the race. All this while going 200 mph into a turn and having a concrete wall on your right that is tougher than any football, hockey, basketball, baseball player out there. If you mess up just a little the wall will always win. These guys have uncommon talent and should be respected as the athletes they are.

sport (spôrt, sprt)

n.

1.

a. Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.

b. A particular form of this activity.

2. An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.

3. An active pastime; recreation

If that doesn't convince you, then nothing probably will.

Well first of all the pit crews are mostly made up of former athletes. They train everyday and run just like athletes in everyother sport. The drivers themselves train as well. Most of the Roush Fenway drivers are in better shape than some football players. Think of Nascar like a marathon on the body. The cars themselves get up to 130 degrees inside and virtually obstructs the drivers view due to the HANS device. Drivers can loose up to ten pounds of water in a race, which is huge on the body. The competition exists like anyother sport and drivers today go to college like most other athletes. Nascar is a sport and like the NFL, NBA, NHL, and MLB has competition across the sport.

Recreational Sport; Fishing,Horse shoes,Archery ect

Competetion Sport;Auto Racing,Horse Racing ect

Physical Sports; Football,Baseball,Basketball ect

"Purest" Sports ; Olympic style events from original olympics.

You answered your own question. Race car driving is competition, it's physical, ( Try sitting in there for 4 hours with 120 degree temps ) and they all work out to maintain thier fitness. Bankers are the ones who you are talking about. Or how about bowling or pool pro's.???

I agree with the checkers dude. The drivers have personell trainers and they workout all the time. It's not just physically exhausting like other sports but also mentally.

This is an old question. Seems if it isn't played with a stick or ball the "sports people" don't know what to make of it. Let's see, is golf? How about the National Pastime (ops, I mean National Sleeping Pill) Baseball. I love the random shots of sleeping fans.

Finally, what difference does it really make. One other likes racing, or they don't.

according to websters

1 a : a source of diversion : RECREATION c (1) : physical activity engaged in for pleasure (2) : a particular activity (as an athletic game) so engaged in

NASCAR racing falls in this definition therefore being a sport

WELL thank you for your opinion run along now. Make room for people who acctually have good questions. Why are ya dissin on the drivers. Blame the haters not the players or the game. Thats what I say. So go suck Gordons exhaust pipe or somethin bettter yet go watch somebody hit a golfball into a hole or somethin. LOSER... GO NASCAR♥ NASCAR♥NASCAR ♥NASCAR♥ NASCAR♥ NASCAR♥NASCAR ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥