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October 12, 2005
Are racers athletes? Ask the doctor, Sanjay Gupta
It doesn’t take long to learn which side of the old “are racers athletes?” debate Dr. Sanjay Gupta comes down on.
Gupta grew up in Detroit, where his parents worked in the auto industry. So the interest in racing came early.
What CNN’s senior medical correspondent learned in four trips deep into the heart of NASCAR country to report on safety and athletic performance in "NASCAR: Driven to Extremes" only confirmed what Gupta already knew: Yes, they are.
CNN’s most recent Dr. Sanjay Gupta special debuts Sunday at 10 p.m. Eastern time.
Gupta did the Richard Petty Driving Experience and rode along with NBC/TNT analyst Wally Dallenbach to monitor and illustrate the physical demands of driving a stock car.
“My heart rate reached 130 or 140” while waiting for the rides to begin, giving some credence to the theory that the waiting is, indeed, the hardest part. Gupta calls it anticipatory response. But the stress doesn’t necessarily end when the waiting does.
"The incredible strain on the human body from the heat, g-forces and the mental focus is like nothing I've seen before," Gupta said. “I told Wally we’d name a disease after him if he didn’t kill me.” No word on what kind of disorder Dallenbach’s disease will label.
Gupta puts the spotlight on the time and energy drivers and team members spend on fitness training and came away with a larger admiration for over-the wall team pit crews. Safety, too, is a focus as the doctor spends some time with Jerry Nadeau, still recovering from injuries suffered at Richmond in 2003.
He applauds efforts that have brought SAFER barriers to tracks and those of NASCAR’s R&D Center, where the so-called “car of tomorrow” is taking shape.
“We asked drivers what they’ve learned that would be of help to everyday drivers, you and me, on the highway,” Gupta said in selling the “something for everyone” aspect of his latest special. “Even if we don’t drive 200 mph, there are things we can learn from them.”
I’d second that and believe Gupta’s efforts to underscore the demands of the sport – both physical and mental – could actually serve as a wake-up call to some of the wanna-be’s and think-they-already-are’s we encounter during the morning commute.
October 12, 2005 in Racing | Permalink
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A reader wrote a comment to me a while ago and I kind of brushed it off with the press of the delete key, but he wrote back and so I decided that this subject was worth a blog. Below... [Read More]
Tracked on Mar 14, 2006 7:15:10 AM
Comments
I think alot of the drivers are athletic, but I don't consider Nascar drivers to be professional athletes. Same with the pit crews. Sorry, there's just no comparison between professional athletes in the NFL, NBA, MLB, etc. and Nascar. It's a whole nother level of physical ability.
Posted by: Michael | Oct 12, 2005 3:16:17 PM
Glad to see someone with valid credentails opine on this subject. May I suggest one of the bloggers here, who shall remain nameless but is VERY close to a Cup driver, take the time to tape and watch Dr. Gupta's piece.
The American College of Medicine did a study, "Racecar Drivers Physical Demands Comparable to Elite Athletes," that definitivly supports Dr. Gupta's findings.
(http://www.acsm.org/publications/newsreleases2002/racecar_driver_demands/120902.html)
Allen Bestwick also had a good article for MSNBC on the topic. (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/4243400/)
Michael what is your definition of "professional?" It would seem drivers signing contracts in the 7 figure range would meet most peoples definition.
NASCAR has become so competitive the days of "supersized" Tiny Lund or an in-car cigar chomping Dick Trickle are long past.
You would be very hard pressed to find a driver in past NASCAR history that could run a 26 mile marathon as one current driver did.
Posted by: Marc | Oct 12, 2005 8:15:21 PM
Marc,
I guess you missed my point. I stated that many drivers are athletic, but are NOT professional athletes. Driving a stock car does not require the level of physical talent that is represented in major professional sports. There's just no comparsion, I'm sorry. Most drivers admit it openly. i.e. the man leading the points.
Posted by: Michael | Oct 12, 2005 11:57:08 PM
If drivers do "not require the level of physical talent" the logical conclusion would be there would be thousands of capable drivers clawing there way into NASCAR.
That's not only patently false but a fair arguement can be made many have tried and failed because they didn't have the physical talent.
Posted by: Marc | Oct 13, 2005 1:05:28 AM
Marc, I think the reason you don't see thousands of capable drivers is because of the lack of mental talent, not physical. Let's face it - unless a power steering pump goes out, there's not a whole lot of athletic ability needed in NASCAR if you're not a pit crew member, and I wouldn't consider them athletes, either. Athletic and agile, yes. Athletes generally train for endurance. Strenuous physical activity for long periods of time, and pit crews do it in short second bursts.
I think Gupta was just enthralled with Wally's ride.
Posted by: the6and9 | Oct 13, 2005 9:36:41 AM
Marc,
There are actually many thousands of people racing at tracks all over america every weekend trying to get into Nascar. Just like all major sports, there are only so many spots to be filled. I'm sorry, but Nascar drivers pale in comparison in physical build, makeup to professional athletes. Please give me an example of a Nascar driver that has the athletic ability of someone in who plays, let's say in the NFL. I think the great drivers have really good hand eye coordination, probably at the same level of some professional athletes...but that doesn't make drivers professional athletes. Just because M.Waltrip ran a marathon, it doesn't make him a great athlete. Millions of people run marathons every year, but very few are great.
Posted by: Michael | Oct 13, 2005 4:51:42 PM
NASCAR drivers not athletes like those very athletic kickers in the NFL? Or those fat out of shape linemen who just clog up space. Not athletes like those amazing pitchers in MLB who finesse the ball over at a whopping 80 mph. A fat out of shape guy who can hit and is a DH in baseball is much less an athlete than a NASCAR driver. Driving in NASCAR is not like driving to the market. The physical and mental aspects of driving are harder than what many other athletes go through. I guess Lance Armstrong is not an athlete because all he does is ride a bike. Track and field runners are not athletes because, as we know, anybody can run. And to say pit crew members are not athletes either is crazy. I'd love to see any player from MLB carry that jack or tire while running full speed.
Posted by: Eric | Oct 13, 2005 9:49:33 PM
To 6&9,Micheal
Idon't think any stick and ball players train for any endurance at all, they play for 10 seconds and sit on their fat a$$ for 45 seconds and only 1 or 2 players actually do any playing anyway, they cry when the get a hangnail and sit out for the rest of the season collecting big $$, big deal.... I assume neither of you guys have say in a race car in 160 degrees for 4 hours and busted your a$$.I did for 18 years 2 to 3 times a week busting my hump for the pure pleasure of it and raced with severe whiplah and broken ribs and raced the next night to boot you pansy a$$ed people make me sick to my stomach with you pious bullshi... As far as not being in shape go tell Mark Martin that, I'd put him up against any Stick And Balls player anytime along with a host of Nascar drivers and watch them kick their A$$.
'nough said on this topic, next
Dave
Posted by: Dave | Oct 13, 2005 10:05:02 PM
Dave,
First off, a little advice, insulting people in a debate only makes you sound weak. That being said, I still disagree with you. Sitting in a hot car doesn't make you an athlete. I think stock drivers have huge cajones to drive the speeds they do, and as I stated before, probably have pretty good hand eye coordination, but the shear act of driving a stock car does not require athletic moves. From good sources, 90% of Cup drivers do not work out. I just don't see how anyone could look at the guys who drive in the cup series and say they could compare athletically to any football, baseball, hockey, basketball etc. I bet if you posed the question to every driver they would laugh at you. Ken Schrader, Kevin Harvick, Jeff Gordon, Jimmy Spencer, Kahne, etc. you think those guys are athletes? Are you kidding me?
Posted by: Michael | Oct 13, 2005 10:57:08 PM
Michael
I speak from experiance and the Question is are racers atheletes not prima donnas and I also think that you should ask Ken Schrader the question
Dave
Posted by: Dave | Oct 13, 2005 11:38:36 PM
Dave,
I've been behind the wheel of a car as well, and well it can be physically taxing, I still don't believe it required the athletic skills in comparison to other sports. I'd be happy to ask Ken that question...if you could line it up please do. Turning the qheel of car does not take compare to the physical ability required to hit a 95mph fast ball, catching a pass in the NFL, or scoring a goal in the NHL. Apples to oranges my friend.
Posted by: Michael | Oct 14, 2005 12:27:00 AM
Here's the difference Dave.
In all atheletic sports - your performance is determined largely by the physical condition and training of your body. Soccer, football, hockey, basketball, etc. You can't sit on your ass signing pictures, cars, or standing around taking pictures, etc all week and be expected to be able to compete.
In racing - physical conditioning DOESN'T matter. Because after 5 hundred miles you can be Jimmy Spencer, Bobby Hamilton, Kenny, DJ, Marlin, Shephard, Marcis...you get the point?
Mark Martin does what he does because he LIKES to. Not because his job depends on it. Put him as the tailback in a shotgun formation on 3and 4 and see if that morning workout makes one bit of fucking difference.
Being in shape does not make you an athelete. Being competetive does not make you an athelete.
The game you play makes you an athelete. How well you play it determines your atheletic ability.
I'm glad you were "man" enough to get out there and play hurt, especially when you didn't have to - but that doesn't make you an athelete, either.
Posted by: the6and9 | Oct 14, 2005 9:28:53 AM
Great response "the6and9", I think you said it better than me. Oh, and I watched this Dr.'s report on CNN last night. I wasn't real impressed.
Posted by: Michael | Oct 14, 2005 9:43:35 AM
By definition, and Athlete is....
"A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts."
"a person trained to compete in sports"
IMO, Racecar Drivers are athletes.
True, they might not be athletes in the way that Michael and the6and9 have described. But none the less (based on definition) I would still have to say they are.
If I'm understanding what Michael and the6and9 are saying or implying. (I'll apologize now, if I'm incorrect) There are just 4 maybe 5 sports for which they would consider the competitors athletes (NFL, NHL, BB, and Baseball).
Sorry, I just don't buy it.
Do you not consider Racing a sport? What about Swimming? Track and Field? even Golfers? Etc.
IMO, each sport has to have persons possessing a natural or aquired traits in order to perform that skill better than others. They might not all train the same way, but it doesn’t make them any less of an athlete.
Posted by: Ann | Oct 14, 2005 12:06:07 PM
Ann.
The way they train does not make them less an athelete - the sport they're involved in makes them less an athelete. And maybe I should clarify we (or at least I am) are talking about NASCAR drivers and crews. Stock Car racing.
Other forms of racing ARE atheletic and require extensive and continuous training and conditioning - regimens that do not begin with eating at least half a frozen pizza before the race, as Smoke put it. Running, swimming, horse racing - even F1 and especially the IRL. The training is SPECIFICALLY for their body to be able to compete in their sport.
NASCAR drivers are hardly atheletes, Ann. BUT - that doesn't make me respect them or like my favorite sport any less.
I don't need to feel like the guys I root for are legitimate atheletes to enjoy the work they do.
That's not what NASCAR is about. The translation says, "...necessary for PHYSICAL exercise." Turning left and tapping the brake is not excercise. Sorry.
Posted by: the6and9 | Oct 14, 2005 12:50:42 PM
I concur with the6and9, I'm only referring to stock car drivers. I think road racing is a little different story. And I'm not only referring to the big 4 professional sports in the U.S. There are countless sports that require physical traits to fit the definition of an athlete. But, here's the point...Drivers are not physically moving there cars, that's done by mechanics. So, the only physical element thy are performing is pushing down on a pedal and turning a wheel slightly left. I'm sorry, I don't consider those actions to be athletic in nature. Again, I think what they do requires great skill, but it it does not meet my definition of an athlete.
Posted by: Michael | Oct 14, 2005 1:10:31 PM
the6and9,
I can somewhat understand/see what you are saying about NASCAR drivers themselves.
"eating at least half a frozen pizza before the race, as Smoke put it." Man, I laughed so hard when I read that. lol, lol
However, I'm still not there on the Pit Crew. Pit Crews do work out and practice several times a week. I know that they are not out there tackling guys twice their size, but what they do is certainly physical.
"that doesn't make me respect them or like my favorite sport any less."
"I don't need to feel like the guys I root for are legitimate atheletes to enjoy the work they do."
I certainly don't need to feel that they are either, Nor was I trying to say you did. I apologize if you were somehow offended by something I said.
I guess it really just comes down to is how each of us interprets the the definition of Athlete.
Posted by: Ann | Oct 14, 2005 1:26:16 PM
No offense taken. I brought up pit crews - that's really not what this whole entry was about anyway - I probably should have left that one alone.
They definately do train hard to knock them seconds off. And they can make a definate impact on a finish - I can go with atheletes on the crews (only over-the wall guys, though).
Posted by: the6and9 | Oct 14, 2005 2:12:45 PM
oh-
especially with the way the 11 and the 31 drive down pit road these days -
I'd say pit crews can go in the Athelete catagory.
Posted by: the6and9 | Oct 14, 2005 2:22:58 PM
I'd agree that some of the overwall guys are definately athletes. Maybe not the catch can man or the gasman, but the tire changers most definately.
Posted by: Michael | Oct 14, 2005 2:59:31 PM
the6and9
Oh, oh, oh.....I think I've missed something. Did the 31 hit someone on pit road too? I knew about the 11, but I hadn't heard about the 31. Please, do tell.
Thanks.
I agree with you and Michael. I'm talking about the "over the wall" crew too.
Sorry "gasmen", I'm not including you though.
Posted by: Ann | Oct 14, 2005 3:17:55 PM
My bad, Ann.
I meant the 2. Rusty ran over the jackman for the 31 (Josh Yost) at 'Dega (I think) back in May.
But still when you gotta do you what you gotta do and get it done less than 13.2 - AND dodge 3400lb race cars 'cause the drivers are fuckin' blind...
Someday you'll see a jack or a tire or something get thrown at a window net and that'll be the end of that.
Posted by: the6and9 | Oct 14, 2005 3:32:55 PM
the6and9,
Thanks for filling me in.
"Someday you'll see a jack or a tire or something get thrown at a window net and that'll be the end of that."
Well that would certainly be interesting. lol, lol Can't say I'd blame them for being just a wee bit upset. lol
Posted by: Ann | Oct 14, 2005 4:31:55 PM
I'm going with yes "Athletes". And I'm defining "Athlete" as any competitor who by using complex muscular skills, mental skills and techniques is successfully able to succeed at a sporting event. I'm sorry if that makes Babe Ruth an athlete because he was a fatass but so be it!
Posted by: Keith | Oct 18, 2005 10:19:33 AM
Some one tell me if they personally know a race car driver and if they were there when they crawled out of a car. I have because my whole family races. I see them get out of the car grasping for drinks. To be an athlete, you have to have some sort of endurance and some kind of strength at something. These racers has to have really good forearm strength. Now compared to a MLB pitcher thats all they really have is some kind of arm strength and mid-section strength and a little leg strength. Racers has the same qualities of these pitchers. And there are racers who go and work out to help their endurance so they dont get worn out during a race.
Posted by: Justin | Nov 11, 2005 1:44:59 AM
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