The sports section of The Chronicle covers almost every known sport from football to basketball to lacrosse to foosball. Yes, even foosball. But there is one sport this great newspaper has neglected over the years.
It is one of the only sports that can truly be called American. It is the great American pastime, if you will. Six letters is all it takes: N-A-S-C-A-R.
Why has auto racing been overlooked for so long? What has NASCAR ever done to The Chronicle so that it has been ignored in a fashion similar to my column ideas? Nothing I tell you. Nothing.
If 10 people, preferably Southerners, were asked who won last year's World Series, it is likely that only four or five would know the answer. But if those same 10 were asked who won the Winston Cup (NASCAR's championship) last season, the answer would be a resounding "Jeff Gordon!" from nearly all of them.
Why is there such a lack of respect? It is not that different from many other professional sports. Baseball has "Big Mac" Mark McGwire, NASCAR has the "Rainbow Warrior" Jeff Gordon. Basketball has "The Glove" Gary Payton, NASCAR has "The Intimidator" Dale Earnhardt. Wrestling has "Stone Cold" Steve Austin, NASCAR has the "Iceman" Terry Labonte.
If endorsements are what is important, NASCAR is filled with them. First of all, each car is sponsored by a major corporation. How many people have chosen BC Headache Powder after seeing the legend Richard Petty on the commercial? Goodwrench is forever indebted to Earnhardt for his use of their tires. If they're good enough for Dale, hey, they're good enough for me.
Of course, everyone knows that Helig-Meyers furniture store has grown leaps and bounds since gaining its new spokesman, the immortal Dick Trickle.
In a way, NASCAR is even responsible for launching a few movie careers. Tom Cruise is a great actor, but would he be where he is today were it not for his role as Cole Trickle in Days of Thunder? Robert Duvall has been exceptional in many flicks, but he was likely at his best as Trickle's loyal chief of the pit crew in this movie.
NASCAR drivers have to overcome many obstacles throughout a race. Some of these are common to other sports, but most are unique to auto racing. Stamina and concentration are two key factors. Players of other sports have breaks and halftime, but a driver has to stay seated in his car for four hours.
These four hours are no ordinary four hours, for the drivers have to maintain speeds of nearly 200 mph in order to win. Most civilian drivers get drowsy at the wheel after driving two hours at a mere 65 mph. NASCAR drivers also do not have the privilege of scenery. They drive in a complete circle only seeing the screaming fans and the other drivers, as well as the wall of the track. That is no easy task.
You will never see a NASCAR driver sit out a race due to a sprained wrist or twisted knee. After a race two weeks ago, winner Ricky Rudd had to be carried out of his car and given fluids before celebrating his victory. Temperatures inside the car during that race reached 140 degrees. Now that is stamina.
But there is one thing that NASCAR has that no other major profession sport can boast: fire. If a linebacker tackles a running back, nothing may fly except a helmet. If two cars bump in NASCAR, that is where the fun begins. With the use of gasoline, cars are always susceptible to light up if hit in the right spot. As one car spins out of control, 20 other drivers have to maneuver to prevent a major collision.
Flames are a common occurrence at a NASCAR event, although rarely are drivers injured in the wrecks. The rescue squads are top notch and drivers usually only receive minor scrapes or bruises.
Finally, NASCAR is a premiere sport because the athletes are basically good guys. You rarely hear about a driver in the news unless it is in regard to racing. No sketchy hotel-room situations. No illegal drug use. No whining about officials. It is just pure racing.
So, as you flip through the television this weekend, or if you are sports editor of The Chronicle and deciding what stories to run, keep in mind these impressive athletes. Keep in mind "Swervin'" Irvan and Awesome Bill from Dawsonville. And keep your hopes up that NASCAR will be shunned no longer!
Brian Kane is a Trinity junior. These views are his and his alone. The rest of The Chronicle sports staff also watches NASCAR religiously but refuses to come out of the closet.
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