Why is racing so popular?

[MNDEM2004]

A few years back no one cared. Now it's rated as the number one sport. Why?

[Not_Giving_Up]

1. A few years back, some of us cared

Then they went to Fox, Earnhardt died....the viewership boomed.

[lenidog]

2. Its a mystery wrapped up in a enigma

I have no idea in the world why its so popular. Now I do enjoy watching Formula One racing and European road rallies but at least they don't go round and round in a circle.

[Not_Giving_Up]

3. There is much more to it than round and round in a circle

If you watched it, you'd know. Besides, there areroad courses in NASCAR as well.

[TheMightyFavog]

58. Yeah, two of them.

Until at least half the season is road courses, I'm not interested in NASCAR.

[punpirate]

4. Promotion is certainly one reason...

... along with the promotion being related to political causes (the so-called "NASCAR dads" demographic).

But, ultimately, I think it has to do with the feeling that it's something anyone can do. Not everyone can play golf, or tennis or basketball or football, but everyone can drive....

[Not_Giving_Up]

5. Not everyone can drive like they can though!

Plenty of people watch just for the crashes...Some watch it for the rivalries....there are many reasons!

[A HERETIC I AM]

11. There is an old adage

"People dont go to races for the crashes but if there were no crashes people wouldnt go to races"

[Not_Giving_Up]

13. I'd still watch

The almost crashes are better...keep you on the edge of your seat, but nobody goes flipping through the grass.

[punpirate]

24. Quite true...

... but many think they can do better.... :P

For proof of that, just listen to the comments at any NASCAR-sanctioned track as the crowd is leaving. :)

[MNDEM2004]

6. Do NASCAR Dad's Vote?

N/T

[Not_Giving_Up]

9. Improper use of an apostrophe

NASCAR Dads are people...I imagine that they vote at about the same ratio as any other group (i.e. soccer moms).

[Borgnine]

7. Speak for yourself.

I drive so poorly, I'm amazed I've never been pulled over or gotten into an accident.

[A HERETIC I AM]

8. It has been the #1 spectator sport worldwide for decades

when you count all types of motor racing - motor cycles - autos etc more people attend races than any other sporting event

[pres2032]

10. it's been growing for years

started in the 1990s with Earnhart's run of championships and the introduction of Jeff Gordon. Gordon brought tons of new fans to the sport, especially fans from the north. NASCAR used Gordon to make their sport mainstream and its spiraled upward since then.

Now Indy and F1 racing has been hugely popular for decades before NASCAR ever was. Indy Car racing was shaping up to be the number 1 sport until Tony George destroyed CART and created the IRL. When CART hit bottom, it opened the door for NASCAR, which just got Gordon and other new young stars and NASCAR, instead of CART or the IRL went main stream.

The France family are genuises at marketing and working with major companies for sponsorships and getting tracks in major markets across the country.

[Not_Giving_Up]

12. True....

Drivers from other leagues are now branching out into NASCAR. Hell John Andretti did it years ago, but I think it was because you can hit a wall in a stock car and keep going. You can't do that in an Indy car!

[pres2032]

14. right

he's certainly not the only one. There's both Gordons, Scott Pruet, Stewart, AJ Foyt, Mario Andretti, and many more.

[Not_Giving_Up]

15. Oh I know....

Christian Fittipaldi drove in the Brickyard not too long ago...I remember when his dad hit the Indy scene.

[pres2032]

16. yup, I think Christian is in the Busch series now

and i LOVED Emmo! He was one of my favorite drivers, behind the Andretti family of course! but then i'm biased, Mario and Michael Andretti are my neighbors and they go to my church.

[Not_Giving_Up]

17. No shit?

Any chance of an autograph??

As for Emmo, I never liked him...he drove DIRTY!

[pres2032]

20. hehe, yeah, I have several things autographed by them

my family is good friends with the parents of Michael's Ex-wife and they got a portrait autographed for us by Mario's father, Mario, Michael, and Marco

[Not_Giving_Up]

22. So.....FRIEND

:evilgrin:

What would a fellow DU'er have to do to get something signed by one of the Andretti clan?

[pres2032]

27. hehe, we try not to ask them for autographs

we've gotten them either as gifts, like the portrait, or at special autograph sessions

[Not_Giving_Up]

28. But....

:cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

[sasquatch]

18. It's one of the last mainstream sports that are dominated by US whites

Plus it is sponsor friendly and there is no union so strikes are very unlikely.

[MNDEM2004]

21. What are some of the payoffs for winning?

I have heard that some racers make millions.

[pres2032]

23. they make the most of their millions from sponsorship deals

the individual winnings vary race to race, but the last place finisher still pockets over $100,000

[ashmanonar]

19. crashes.

that is all.

[Erika]

25. Nascar dads pray for the race

Ah, why? No one forced them to be there. It's a big hype over a sport by monied elites.

[A HERETIC I AM]

41. Another old adage

"Racing is for rich men too lazy to play golf" (meaning the team owners)

[Ready4Change]

26. Simple reason.

Put 2 guys and 2 tricycles in a room together and close the door.

I guarantee they will be racing trikes within 5 minutes. Many ladies too, although some will deny it.

It's a human thing, to wonder, how much can I get out of this? How far can I throw this stone? How high can I climb in this tree? How many times can I skip this stone on the water?

It is even more human to wonder, can I do any of this better than the next guy?

From the moment cars were invented it was fated that we would race them. Name a single transportation device that hasn't been raced in one form or another. I dare ya. We even "raced" to the moon. It's in our genes.

Since you didn't say it, I won't assume you mean NASCAR when you say racing. I just take that as "car racing," and personally I prefer F1 or WRC. And why it's currently #1 beats me. Must be connected to "pro" wrestling. I can't get a handle on IT'S popularity either.

[MNDEM2004]

29. Who is the most popular driver?

n/t

[Not_Giving_Up]

30. In which series?

Nextel Cup?
Busch?
Truck?


Or another kind of racing all together?

[MNDEM2004]

31. Nascar

n/t

[Not_Giving_Up]

33. Nascar has three main series

Nextel Cup
Busch
Craftsman Truck

[pres2032]

32. depends on the series

NASCAR - Earnhart JR, Jeff Gordon, Rusty Wallace are about tied
Indy - Paul Tracy, Michael Andretti
F1 - Michael Schumacher

[MNDEM2004]

34. Thanks

[pres2032]

35. you're welcome

I should Clarify that Michael Andretti no longer drives, but is a car owner and is just as popular as when he was driving, probably more so than his drivers.

[MNDEM2004]

36. What is the NHRA then?

[Not_Giving_Up]

37. That's the

National Hot Rod Association http://www.nhra.com/ The drag racers!

[MNDEM2004]

39. Thanks

[pres2032]

38. that's drag racing

and there are like 4 different types and the most popular driver is probably John Force

[A HERETIC I AM]

42. There are 4 different premier types in drag racing

Top Fuel Dragster, Top Fuel Funny Car, Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Motorcycles. There are literally dozens of other classes allowing a participant to race everything from the family car to the pickup truck he hauled it to the track with.

[Seabiscuit]

60. Who gives a flyin' fuck?

[Dude_CalmDown]

40. Because a car with nearly 1,000 hp & a 20,000 RPM redline that

corners on rails is kind of an interesting sight for some.

[Peter Frank]

43. Who rates "racing" the #1 sport...

..."racists"???

[Not_Giving_Up]

44. I would assume that it's based on attendance and TV ratings

Don't get your panties in a wad.

[Peter Frank]

45. You missed the irony of word usage n/t

[Not_Giving_Up]

46. No, I responded to what you said

You were aiming for funny, but you missed.

[Peter Frank]

47. What's your point? n/t

[Not_Giving_Up]

48. My point was to explain how NASCAR was deemed #1

Some non-fans are asking questions (presumably to learn). You appear to be here to stir the shit.

[Dude_CalmDown]

49. Will you just go back and get the pun already! - n/t

*

[Not_Giving_Up]

51. I got it...but it was beyond tacky

NASCAR can be a touchy subject around here...I'm a true blue dem, but have had that questioned because I'm a NASCAR fan. Guess I jump to the offensive quickly.

[Peter Frank]

50. You bet...

...I live in NC where you don't see too many Blacks wearing Jeff Gordon ballcaps.

NASCAR is a Southern White tradition -- and worthy of lampooning (unless America has become too PC for a person to speak so openly).

Get over yourself.

[Not_Giving_Up]

52. Please don't tell me to get over myself

I lived in SC and NC for four years, combined. I know how the race relations are there. Why stir the fucking pot?

[Peter Frank]

53. The pot is always stirred...

...why pretend that NASCAR isn't racist???

[Not_Giving_Up]

54. Granted, it's predominantly white

Not totally white as it once was though.

Why go out of your way to call it racist?

[Peter Frank]

55. ...Because it is racist --

-- and you seem to be an apologist.

Can you name any Black owners or big players in NASCAR? What percentage of ticket buyers are Black?

Gimme a break...

[Not_Giving_Up]

56. So, it's raist because it's mostly white?

Last I looked, no one was wearing sheets to the races. There's a black driver in the truck series this year, and I know that there are black pit crew members. No, I don't think any of the owners are black. So? How many football or baseball teams are owned by black people? As for the ticket buyers, I haven't done a survey.

[Name removed]

57. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Seabiscuit]

59. What moron rates it as the number one sport?

Only among complete assholes.

Baseball and football are the number one sports in Amerika.

Baseball is still "America's favorite past-time".

Football is a fairly new pretender to that title. All due to the invention of the "Superbowl".

[TexasProgresive]

61. Frank Deford has a different take.

Wednesday on Morning Edition Frank Deford said that the American viewing public has been addicted to car chases by action films and that NASCAR is just one long car chase.

http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=4501252

[WilmywoodNCparalegal]

62. NASCAR has changed a lot

Magic Johnson serves on an advisory board to make the sport more popular among minorities. A few of the crews include black mechanics. I think one of the official NASCAR doctors is black. There are a few black and latino fans in the stands (I know firsthand, as I've been to a few races).

I think that non-southern drivers have done a lot to shed the image of an all-white all-southern sport.

Hockey has also a high percentage of white players/owners and fans, but I don't hear anyone saying that hockey is racist.

As to why racing is so popular, I think it's an adrenaline thing. Few can relate to playing football, baseball or basketball, but most know what it is like driving and most wonder what it feels like driving at 190 mph. And just because the circuit is round, it does not mean it is easy. Racing is a sport requiring extremely tuned reflexes, adrenaline, intelligence and skill.