Jimmie Johnson Top Male Athlete Nominee

[TomCat88]

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/2108 ... onfor-real" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

This guy in the link above summed this up in simple terms. I had the opportunity to meet a dirt track racer not long ago and while he has a reputation as one of the best in his part of the country I had to ask myself just what he had accomplished. Like the author above I have nothing against racing and I'm sure I'd pee my pants if you threw me in a stock car and put me on a track.

But what I don't see is the required athletic ability a stock car driver needs or the competition they have to get through to get to the top of their sport. I define athletic ability as strength, agility, speed, endurance and cunning. I think you have to have a lot of cunning and some endurance, but very little of the other three to become a good racer. Cunning IMO includes brains and balls.

It also has to be noted that auto sports don't exist in grade schools as part of extra-curricular activities. The number of people that attempt to be race car drivers is minute compared to those who play some form of organizer basketball, baseball, soccer, etc.

I liken race car drivers to horse racing jockeys. In horse racing the horse and trainer get most of the credit, while the jockey is rarely recognized.