NASCAR is not a sport, it's marketing

[KP]

NASCAR, the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, is a glorified marketing tool where the best "drivers" are really the individuals who are the most marketable.

C'mon, do you really think Viagara would want a 22 year old like Kasey Kahne to promote their product? There's a reason why 50 year old Mark Martin is sponsored by them.

Ever since Jeff Gordon came to the sport as the original "Young Gun" there has been an influx of teenagers and 20 somethings that can talk with little to no twang talking up a storm going to events like commercials, public appearances, and....oh....races.

It's hard for me to imagine that so many young drivers like Stewart, Earnhardt, Kahne, Sadler, Busch, etc. can come in and immediately be successful over the likes of the more established drivers like Labonte, Wallace, Jarrett, & Martin.

Gordon, hey, he proved with multiple championships that he must be a good driver. I am not a Gordon fan, so that was a difficult sentenc for me to type. Little E, well, he does have the family background. But where did these other kids come from?

It's not about driving, it's about marketability. Look good, talk so people can understand you, have a sponsor and car owner with an endless supply of cash and a pit crew that can keep the car running and you'll be a NASCAR chamnpion as soon as it's your turn.

[BtownJay]

//gets some popcorn, this could be fun to watch.

I don't watch the races, just can't do it. There is always something more exciting on to watch. But i'm tired of all the freakin whining i have to listen to on ESPN news the following day. Everyone who doesn't win bitches and moans about the previous days race.

You want to talk marketability, Kleenex should become a major sponsor. Their slogan can be "our tissues are the choice of NASCAR drivers to whipe away tears".

I agree with your post to an extent. IMO, its not about the driver of a car. I believe you could teach any human being how to be a good driver in NASCAR. But they can't all have the smartest and best pit crews. Sure, some drivers will be better than others, but its mostly about the car and the way its set up. You could be the 'best' driver in the world, but if your crew can't set the car up well, you can't win.

[BtownBeers]

Great points by both actually....now where's RUSTY!

[Rusty27]

Originally Posted by KP

NASCAR, the National Association of Stock Car Auto Racing, is a glorified marketing tool where the best "drivers" are really the individuals who are the most marketable.

C'mon, do you really think Viagara would want a 22 year old like Kasey Kahne to promote their product? There's a reason why 50 year old Mark Martin is sponsored by them.

Ever since Jeff Gordon came to the sport as the original "Young Gun" there has been an influx of teenagers and 20 somethings that can talk with little to no twang talking up a storm going to events like commercials, public appearances, and....oh....races.

It's hard for me to imagine that so many young drivers like Stewart, Earnhardt, Kahne, Sadler, Busch, etc. can come in and immediately be successful over the likes of the more established drivers like Labonte, Wallace, Jarrett, & Martin.

Gordon, hey, he proved with multiple championships that he must be a good driver. I am not a Gordon fan, so that was a difficult sentenc for me to type. Little E, well, he does have the family background. But where did these other kids come from?

It's not about driving, it's about marketability. Look good, talk so people can understand you, have a sponsor and car owner with an endless supply of cash and a pit crew that can keep the car running and you'll be a NASCAR chamnpion as soon as it's your turn.

AAA is the sponsor for Mark Martin.Did you write this article a year ago?
Mark Martin is only in his 40's.I doubt he needs Viagara.
All these young drivers have come up through the ranks, most on small bull ring tracks you have never heard of.By the time they are 20,they could have
10 years experience.So,it's about both driving and marketability.Make no mistake about it,you have to have talent.Just ask Kerry Earnhardt or AJ Foyt
IV,Justin Labonte, or John Andretti who have failed as drivers.

[Rusty27]

Originally Posted by BtownJay

I agree with your post to an extent. IMO, its not about the driver of a car. I believe you could teach any human being how to be a good driver in NASCAR. But they can't all have the smartest and best pit crews. Sure, some drivers will be better than others, but its mostly about the car and the way its set up. You could be the 'best' driver in the world, but if your crew can't set the car up well, you can't win.

You're right Jay to an extent.With enough experience,most anyone could drive at some level.Where the talent comes in is those few drivers that can win or finish in the top ten consistantly and keep their cars in on piece.An owner won't tolerate too many wrecks and other drivers won't tolerate you putting their car in jeopardy either.Only a select few have that ability.Again,I agree you have to have a good car.Dale Jr,whom I consider one of the best drivers in Nascar had nothing to work with last year. Yet his teammate Micheal Waltrip(not an elite driver)couldn't win with proven better equipment proving it is the driver as well as the equipment.

[KP]

My bad, Rusty, on the Martin sponsorhip. I truly didn't realize he had changed to AAA. If Martin is in his 40s...he's a whole lot closer to 40 than he is 45, I'm sure.

[karasz411]

Um. This easily coulda been the 1st P-CP... Of course, nobody has mentioned the first point. It's not a sport.

[Rusty27]

Originally Posted by KP

My bad, Rusty, on the Martin sponsorhip. I truly didn't realize he had changed to AAA. If Martin is in his 40s...he's a whole lot closer to 40 than he is 45, I'm sure.

He's 47.Actually he looks even older to me.I think he had a drinking problem back in the day.

[Rusty27]

Originally Posted by karasz411

Um. This easily coulda been the 1st P-CP... Of course, nobody has mentioned the first point. It's not a sport.

If it's not,I guess the dictionary writers have made a big mistake defining the word.

[BtownJay]

Originally Posted by karasz411

Um. This easily coulda been the 1st P-CP... Of course, nobody has mentioned the first point. It's not a sport.

Well please explain to us how it is not a sport. I'd love to hear how you argue with Websters dictionary.

[BtownBeers]

This is getting a little too familar lol

[BtownJay]

Originally Posted by BtownBeers

This is getting a little too familar lol

lol, yeah really. but they are always fun debates to get into.

[karasz411]

sport
- Physical activity that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often engaged in competitively.
- A particular form of this activity.
-An activity involving physical exertion and skill that is governed by a set of rules or customs and often undertaken competitively.
-An active pastime; recreation


By these definitions. One can make just about anything a sport.

Is anyone ready for EXTREME RAKING? Where 2 competitors Rake 2 different yards of the same size to see who the best Raker really is? And don't forget the dreaded PILE JUMPER card can be used at any time in the first round.

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

If NASCAR is a sport, since the guys are driving around in a car. Horse Racing is a sport since the guys are sitting on top of the horses. POKER is a sport since the guys are sitting there thinking very hard. (And if you dont know how intense poker really is trust me, it is.)

So, what about sex? Lets start a Sex-lympics style event. Every year the best of the best compete in a numerous amount of events. Including but not limited to Anal, Blow job, hand job, and the main event, which at this point will just be called mouth containment.

So, Sex is not a sport, NASCAR, CHESS, POKER and horse racing are not sports. Raking is not a sport. Wittling is not a sport.

The definition blows cuz then i can make everything a sport. Basically, any competition with rules. Well, it does say Physical activity, I've driven before, i don't think its that physical, nor is chess, poker or horse racing. All of which I have done numerous times without really believing I had just participated in a sport.

If this is the definition we use for a sport then Ill just keep making up the most innane off the wall 'sports' and rules for the sport I can think of.