I was sort of half watching last weekend’s NASCAR race. I normally keep my distance from this stuff, because it burns. Megan’s brother was there though, and I figured I could at least pay attention. It turned out to be a major disappointment. Rain delay after rain delay eventually caused the officials to call the race.
Watching this, I realized that NASCAR can in no way be considered a sport. There was some rain on the track, so they quit. They just quit and gave the win to Jeff Gordon, because he was in front at the time. I’m sure he was happy about it, but I’m sorry–that’s just plain pitiful. They’re literally driving around in cars. Rain is going to stop some cars? “Ooh, but it’s too dangerous.” Well then slow the fuck down. If you’re too stupid to drive 200+ miles per hour in pouring rain, you might deserve to get in an accident.
A football game would never get canceled because of rain. Quite the opposite, I’m sure. People enjoy rain and snow games more. Why? Because that’s what a sport is. Baseball falls into the same category as NASCAR, unfortunately. But at least they makeup the rained out games or play the rest later.
June 14th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
So is the argument here that if the activity is conducted outdoors and can’t be played in the rain or snow, then it’s not a sport?
June 14th, 2007 at 7:59 pm
Haha. Don’t be hatin’ on Juvers’ precious Nascar. You better take it back.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:10 pm
that’s close. i think snow is a special circumstance, though. snow can get to the point that you simply can’t move it. rain doesn’t have that effect, except in the most extreme of circumstances. i don’t think anybody could be blamed for having at least a modest fear of competing in a hurricane.
in any event, that’s not really the argument. the crux is that nascar very well could be “played” in the rain or light snow. they simply choose not to, assumedly for fear that the drivers would kill themselves. in that case, throw some tires with tread on the cars and tell the drivers to slow down to intelligent speeds for the rain. nobody should be given a win simply because they were winning halfway through. THAT is not a sport.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
also, bear in mind that i’m not arguing against its worth as a competitive activity. while i don’t particularly care for it, i realize that’s not the deciding factor of something’s worth. i just don’t consider it a true sport for the reason i’ve outlined above.
having said that, it’s more of a sport than anything that’s judged. i don’t care if it’s olympic diving, figure skating, or drill team. once you put a judge in charge of it, it instantly is exempt from being considered a sport. it’s too subjective. that brings me to the heart of my argument. a judge of one form or another decided it was raining too hard and gave jeff gordon the victory, even though ryan newman would have surely passed him if the race had continued.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:35 pm
I wasn’t trying to argue that it is or is not, I was just trying to make sure I fully understood your argument.
Honestly, I’ve yet to watch a race so far this season. I’m just not into it as much as I once was. I catch a few laps here and there though, and still follow who’s doing what. And in reference to Sunday’s race, that was a really rare circumstance. NASCAR rules stipulate that if a race is over halfway complete, then it constitutes as a full event. They almost always try and get the full race in, or postpone it to the next day (which creates havoc for many of the teams in trying to get the cars to the next track which could be across country). They screwed up Sunday by delaying it, then letting them run a few laps, then delaying it once again, and on and on. Had they put any thought into it, they would have not gone past halfway without full knowledge that the race wouldn’t be delayed again. Especially, knowing there aren’t lights at that track so the race could continue into the night.
And, regarding the treads on tires during rain. They have done this on road courses during foul weather, but never on an oval. To me (and I would think any race fan), we pay to see the bad-ass speed. So, if they were to slow down on a fast track such as Pocono due to rain, it would ruin the experience. To me anyway.
OK, I’ve talked way too long. But, would like to reiterate the point that I’m not trying to staunchly defend racing as I just don’t really care that much about it at this point. Just thought I’d point some of the reasons why the race Sunday unfolded the way it did. As well as why having the cars slow and continue racing during rain wouldn’t be conducive to the race fan.
Lastly, I’m having somewhat of a hard time coming up with what would constitute as a sport under the “Don’t play in the rain, not a sport” logic other than football. Soccer? Rugby? Thought a few of you could provide some input there.
June 14th, 2007 at 8:41 pm
well, basketball and hockey are smart enough to play inside. i imagine lacrosse would continue in rain. golf and tennis wouldn’t, but those are other activities where (to my knowledge) they would just postpone the events.
thinking about it more, i imagine i just have trouble with many professional sports. you could certainly play baseball and basketball in the rain if you wanted. you could even race if you wanted. and because you can, that’s what upsets me when the pros don’t, i guess.