It’s really funny when ‘athletes’ bag on racers as not being “athletes.” I’m not a big NASCAR guy but to be amped on adrenaline almost non stop for 500 miles at 200 mph... Most people are exhausted after a 2 hour trip in the passenger seat.
I challenge anyone thinking that racing requires no athletic ability to strap in to the passenger seat of a SCORE off-road Trophy Truck and do 1000 miles in Baja.
750 Horsepower 30 inches of wheel travel and no Air conditioning or onboard entertainment systems. Takes about 20 hours or so.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WXWHE7toicA
Nope, just a Sunday afternoon drive ;)
Who would you think is more the athlete. A guy racing by foot around that track one time or a driver going around 20 times? A guy sits on his ass for many days on the way to the moon in a rocket. Everyone knows that takes skill and talent and he has to be in shape. I guess that makes him an athlete????
I remember this one...
Ricky Rudd doing an interview in victory lane - on his back:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RCtddIpHWLM&feature=related
I used to race on dirt and at only a mere 30 laps I’d be tuckered out.