NASCAR Is Not A Sport

“NASCAR is not a sport” is a phrase I had ignorantly used in the past. While I believe it to still be true, the context vastly differs from where it originated in my mind. Before watching NASCAR, let alone grasping a basic command of what was happening, I would have wrongfully thought that NASCAR was the equivalent of adult bumper cars [at high speeds]. I thought NASCAR was a pack of cars driving around a flat oval to see who could get to the checkered flag first. No concept of the complexity of the track terrain, no concept of the strategy to survive said track, no concept of the extreme risk, no concept of NASCAR at all. My mind was rightfully blown when I was formally introduced to NASCAR, and while I still don’t believe it’s a sport, that is for an entirely different reason. NASCAR is more than a sport; it’s a lifestyle.

Let’s start at the top. Unlike other sports, NASCAR is always a multi-day event during the season. This season is practically every single weekend from February to November. This multi-day event is comprised of practice, qualifying, and then, finally, the actual race. Each part is equally important to understanding the trajectory of that race. In addition, unlike other professional-level sports, NASCAR has three primary levels: Truck Series, Xfinity Series, and the Cup Series. The level of commitment to this “sport” is a lifestyle. You are dedicating your time and energy in a maximized capacity. Races always take place on the weekend, making the commitment to NASCAR even more important, giving it a priority in your peak free time. For context, the NFL season is 18 weeks, and NASCAR is 38 weeks. I mean what I say: It’s not a sport; it’s a lifestyle.

The level of knowledge and strategy needed to compete, but also consume NASCAR, is endless. However, the concept of NASCAR as a fan, in my opinion, is the most aspirational sports entertainment in terms of alignment to reality. Take basketball for example, I can easily find a basketball, at an affordable price and a public hoop to shoot around at. Even in its most primitive state, I can bounce the ball and shoot it like an NBA star. I can physically and easily put myself in a real-life situation of that sport. NASCAR is completely aspirational and almost always unattainable. How can I get behind the wheel of a stock car? I can’t, at least not in a simple and straightforward fashion. Watching NASCAR is like escaping the bounds of reality for this thrill-seeking chase. It’s not a sport; it’s a lifestyle.

Every track is a new challenge. Yes, if we are going to get technical, there are track classifications that hold similarities, and of course, drivers have a preference based on their skill and ability. But at its core, every track and every weekend is a blank slate. Every track has its challenges, and no two tracks are alike. The external variables are, more often than not, more impactful than the nuts and bolts. When you’re learning to drive a vehicle, your parents may have said to pay attention around you. "It’s not you I’m worried about; it’s the other drivers on the road." It’s true here, too. Now, the other people on the road are zipping by at speeds clocked over 180MPH, but you get the analogy. When it comes to NASCAR, attempting to control your fate is like playing Texas Hold ‘Em at the blackjack table; it just doesn’t work. Again, it’s not a sport; it’s a lifestyle.  

Looking back at history is embraced, even encouraged in this arena. Something not very common these days. One of the aspects of this lifestyle that I find so endearing is the passion for telling the history of NASCAR. Fans, drivers, and commentators alike frequently reference historical figures, events, and catchphrases with pride. To embrace NASCAR is to learn its rich, competitive timeline. There’s something magnetic and nostalgic about being told the stories of the past that entices you to watch the present races even more. It’s this unspoken magic. It’s not a sport; it’s a lifestyle.

The commitment, the thrill seeking, the aspirational nature, and the unexpected outcomes make for a cult like following in all the best ways. It’s hard to explain until you watch it with an open mind. The down-home nature of the atmosphere hides a hidden treasure of high-stakes competition in a way I’ve never seen before. Once you see it, you can’t look away. NASCAR is not a sport; it’s a lifestyle. Even if this is your first taste of what this “sport” has to offer, I can promise you that once you’re in, you’re hooked. Proceed with caution!