Quote:
Originally Posted by redsk1
Athlete of the Year to me, implies a level of personal achievement vs competition. Of course, JJ has been dominant in racing. I know too, that driving a stock car, for hours and hours in brutal condition aint easy.
You've got to rely on a good team in racing and more importantly the car itself. I can guarantee, that if JJ, drove for a lesser team or engine builder, he wouldn't be as successful. Also, I just don't think drivers should be classified w/ all other athletes. Maybe, it's because I grew up watching the old regime of Nascar like Darrell Waltrip, Dale Sr, Harry Gant, and others. Jimmie Spencer...not much of an athlete, although a heck of a driver.
I don't know..just never really thought of a Nascar driver as an athlete. That's not downgrading their talent. Just an opinion.
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Agreed. Having been around NASCAR when I lived in North Carolina and some of the people involved in it, I came to respect the guys for what they do, but like you, I do not really consider them to be athletes, eventhough it does take a certain level of mental and physical stamina to do what when I think "athlete" race car drivers are the last ones that come to mind.