I've meant to start writing my thoughts and opinions on one of my more unlikely interests for some time. Oddly, there is a strange connection between politics and NASCAR. Some of the larger polling groups use a question in their political polling that, realistically, tries to distinguish Republicans and Democrats by asking this question near the end of their polls: "Are you a NASCAR fan?" As a Democrat, I delight is answering yes, as I am sure it tips their balance and guesses as to how the remainder of their questions may be answered by yours truly. To be fair, I do find myself in a hefty minority of NASCAR fans. I am a liberal Democrat. And sure, it displeases me that some of NASCAR fans are so anti-anything Democrat. It also displeases me that I am often viewed as a "must be Republican" because I am a NASCAR fan. Conversely, it irks me when outsiders dismiss NASCAR fans as all, ignorant, Redneck "sports" fans. Having been a casual NASCAR fan while growing up with my grandparents, admittedly very much the stereotype aforementioned, it wasn't until I was in my early thirties that I became an avid NASCAR fan. I started watching and following the sport as a Jeff Gordon fan. I remain one today. I have expanded my choice in drivers to include Gordon teammate and one-time protégé Jimmie Johnson (Gordon is also the owner of record of the #48 Chevrolet that Johnson drives), as well as, the other drivers for Gordon's team owner, Hendrick Motorsports. Ultimately, when choosing drivers and where 95% of my opinions will come from, depends on the car manufacturer. I will almost always choose the American owned car makers, Chevrolet being my favorite. Since Ford is the only other American manufacturer a part of NASCAR, they would default to second. My dislike of certain drivers, however, will preclude me from "being a fan" and will prompt my bias to be toward someone other than said driver (I specifically speak of Brad Keselowski, Clint Bowyer, and oftentimes but not always lately, Kyle Busch). NASCAR is a sport. I find myself frequently in debate and conversation with friends who believe that driving a car is not a sport. My response varies but always includes opposition to calling things such as throwing a ball or hitting a ball or kicking a ball a sport, too, as those are skills and not always require athletic ability. Greco-Roman wrestling, running, climbing or something that requires not only skill but personal physical ablility are sports. All other things are just entertainment vehicles. Perhaps WWE owner Vince McMahon is onto something by calling professional wrestling "sports entertainment." Maybe they all are.
UPDATE: UPON THE SHAMELESS ENDORSEMENT OF DONALD TRUMP FOR PRESIDENT BY NASCAR CHAIRMAN AND CEO BRIAN FRANCE, I AM NO LONGER WATCHING OR SUPPORTING NASCAR. APPARENTLY THE DIVERSITY PROGRAM NASCAR IMPLEMENTED APPLIES ONLY TO THOSE THAT AREN'T BLACK, GAY, TRANSGENDERED, WOMEN, MUSLIM, MEXICAN, OR INTELLIGENT. SHAME ON NASCAR'S BOARD OF DIRECTORS FOR NOT OUSTING THE HEIR AND DESTROYER OF STOCK CAR RACING.
