“If you don’t know anything about racing, just keep your opinion to yourself because you shouldn’t even have an opinion if you don’t know anything about a sport,” stated Kevin Harvick in response to Stephen A. Smith‘s assertion that NASCAR drivers are not athletes. This exchange occurred during a discussion about the nature of athleticism in various sports.
Smith’s claim—”A NASCAR driver is not an athlete”—sparked significant backlash from the racing community, particularly from Harvick, who has been a prominent figure in NASCAR. The debate highlights a broader misunderstanding about the physical demands placed on racecar drivers.
That context matters because Harvick is no stranger to the rigors of racing. He emphasized that elite drivers are indeed elite athletes, revealing data from his Polar watch that shows he burns approximately 3,200 calories during a race. This figure alone challenges the perception that driving a car is merely a sedentary task.
In a race with caution periods, his calorie burn was still significant at 2,400 calories. To put this in perspective, only marathon runners exhibit similar levels of calorie expenditure during their events—further underscoring the athleticism involved in NASCAR.
Additionally, Harvick pointed out that drivers often lose several pounds due to dehydration throughout races. This physical toll is akin to what athletes endure in other high-intensity sports.
Harvick ranks 11th in NASCAR Cup Series wins with 60 victories, further solidifying his credibility on this topic. His experience and achievements lend weight to his argument about the athletic nature of driving.
As Will Buxton aptly noted, “Any elite driver, they are an elite athlete.” This statement reinforces the consensus among many in the racing world regarding the physicality required for success in NASCAR.
The conversation around athleticism in racing continues to evolve, especially as more data becomes available. Harvick’s rebuttal serves as a reminder that understanding the intricacies of any sport requires more than just surface-level observations.
The debate between Harvick and Smith illustrates a critical misunderstanding about what it means to be an athlete today. As discussions around sports and athleticism grow, figures like Harvick will be at the forefront advocating for recognition of all forms of athletic endeavors.