Why America Loves NASCAR (Hint: Because it's not black.)

The Village Voice ^ | 10/14/.2005 | David Wright

[Colonel Kangaroo]

"By saying NASCAR isn't black, I mean it isn't African American. And NASCAR is not at all black: Not in the cockpits of the stockcars; not on the pit crews; rarely, if at all, among the multitudes filling the 160,000-seat speedway stands...."

[babydoll22]

It's not that he hates the south, he just doesn't understand the south. Probably has never been here.I am northern by birth but southern by choice.

[babydoll22]

I don't know if you have ever been to a race. Your analysis is correct as far as it goes. Another reason is to watch how the drivers are able to handle the race car at speeds of 150-190 mph. Also, the fans are very vocal and the electricity in the stands is remarkable.

Also, the beer, chicken wings and the babes are first class.

The crashes are pretty neat too.

[Buffettfan]

I remember watching a show about race a few years ago and most of black people that were intervied stated that they preferred to watch programs and sports that consisted of "people more like them". Of course the white host never challenged them on it any further and neither did any of the white participants of the show. I thought to myself, hey , that is fine, as long as everybody else on the planet can do the same without being called a racist.

[leadpenny]

I thought it came from the moonshiners outrunning the G-Men?

Maybe I just got that from the movie, "Oh, Brother?"

[pageonetoo]

Broadly suggesting that NASCAR fans are generally motivated by racism...

Bullshiite. Nascar fans are almost completely motivated by...

[Recon Dad]

I think the NBA stinks and I think NASCAR is boring! What am I a Bipolar racist? Oh, but I think Roll N Roll ended with the Four Tops.

[JohnLongIsland]

Actually, there is solid data regarding the lack of wisdom involved in "head"ing a ball. Such impacts do have cumulative effects, on younger players - and eventually on older player.

better heading a ball than a hockey puck sandwich.

[kb2614]

I love motorsports, but not NASCAR (more into sportscar racing like LeMans, Sebring, etc.). I'm also white, hmmmmmm. Guess that makes me a wine and cheese honkey racist.

This is from the Village Voice. They make the NYTimes look sane.

[Vaquero]

I am even handed:

I am of European decent so color me whatever color you want.

I HATE Basketball and Hockey. so the 2 balance each other out.

I use to LOVE NASCAR.....until back in the 70's or early 80's or whenever...they stopped using STOCK cars. I was one of the "race on Sunday buy on Monday" guys. In 1967 I bought a brand new Plymouth Satellite just like Mr. Richard Petty drove. NOW, whats the point they obviously race, race cars now and not STOCK cars. I am no longer interested.

I have recently received an email, here at work, TOP TEN list of reasons why there are no black NASCAR drivers, but because of Freep rules and because I do not wish to insult any group I will demure. I do believe the PC practice of not airing out a groups foibles in comedic form (ala Don Rickles...Dice Clay etc), causes more harm than good....its good to be able to laugh at the idiosyncrasies of one group, while they laugh at yours. We are too stiff as a nation these days. Just my $0.02

[Colonel Kangaroo]

Having been a NASCAR fan since I was a kid in the 70's, and knowing many other racefans, I find this is a load of bull. I personally went to the spring Atlanta race with a black friend of mine, who is a bigger fan than I am! (if that's at all possible!)

I believe that the writer of the article would be shocked to know about your friend, because I suspect he's never been near a racetrack. Of course being fair to their subjects is not a noted feature of leftist writers who do not see individuals, but only see groups to be manipulated to make their point.

[HuntsvilleTxVeteran]

The best moonshine running movie is "Thunder Road" starring Robert Mitcham.

[elli1]

[David Wright]teaches in the MFA program at the University of Illinois, Champaign-Urbana.

MFA program UICU

IOW, Wright is a professor of fiction.

[repubpub]

I don't like NASCAR or basketball. I’d rather watch hockey, football, some baseball and a little of golf.

[pageonetoo]

...Oh, but I think Roll N Roll ended with the Four Tops.

These kinda tops?

[Mr Ramsbotham]

I don't know if you have ever been to a race.

Well, I've never been to a race, but it isn't for want of opportunity, since I live about two miles from the track at Dover Downs. The thing of it is, there are two things I can't abide. One of them is speed, and the other is loud noises. Tattooed women don't turn me on either, but that's a question of taste, for which there's no accounting.

[leadpenny]

"Also, the beer, chicken wings and the babes are first class."

My first race was at Martinsville with my son about seven or eight years ago. We scalped some tickeks that were in turn four and we found out why it's called "Chicken Bone Alley." Chicken bones and beer cans really did fly over our heads before hitting the fence. Fans would even rush the fence as drivers passed so they could flip them the bird. Some of the best people I have ever met and the best time I have ever had at a sporting event.

[Buffettfan]

Let's see now. America loves NASCAR because it's not black but America also loves the NFL and NBA (as evidenced by mostly whites faces in the stands)because it is mostly black. Makes no sense to me. Just another attempt by a liberal writer to paint blacks as victims and to keep them thinking that there is an organized conspiracy to keep them dowm. Pathetic race baiting article.

[leadpenny]

Right about that. I've seen it in the last year or so on TCM.

[Colonel Kangaroo]

I do believe the PC practice of not airing out a groups foibles in comedic form (ala Don Rickles...Dice Clay etc), causes more harm than good....its good to be able to laugh at the idiosyncrasies of one group, while they laugh at yours. We are too stiff as a nation these days. Just my $0.02

I wish we could be so relaxed to so laugh at our foibles. Failing that, I'd like a society in which all groups are treated equally gently and not the PC path of open season on a few unfavored groups without admitting reciprocity.

[Recon Dad]

I have a suggestion for NASCAR that if acted on would attract 10 times the audience.

Instead of restricting everything in the car, run open races with no restrictions, spend whatever you wanted. Then it wouldn't look like Slot Car Races.

Let's see how good they really are!