Do you recall the chilling episode when Bubba Wallace collapsed not once, but twice, from exhaustion after the grueling Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 race in Atlanta in 2020? It was a stark reminder of the intense physical demands of NASCAR racing, a fact that resurfaced recently when Joey Logano reacted vehemently to a question about the athletic merit of drivers during a media session at Phoenix Raceway.
Logano, who had secured the second position in Saturday’s qualifier behind William Byron, was incensed by the implication that NASCAR drivers might not be considered athletes. His response was a heated defense of the physical and mental rigor required in the sport. He argued that just as he might not excel in basketball, an NBA player would likely struggle behind the wheel of a race car. He dismissed the question as uninformed and demonstrated a lack of understanding of the sport.
Logano’s indignation is understandably justified. The physical toll on NASCAR drivers is immense. They not only have to battle extreme G-forces comparable to those experienced by fighter pilots, but they also have to endure interior car temperatures that can rise above 130 degrees. The drivers have to maintain heart rates up to 170 beats per minute for hours on end. Brad Keselowski’s recent incident serves as a powerful testament to these facts.
Moreover, these drivers must maintain a laser-like focus while handling a 3,600-pound stock car at speeds of 180 mph. The fainting incident involving Bubba Wallace underlines the real and visceral impact of these demands on a driver’s body. Even athletes from other arenas, like former NFL star Randy Moss who once owned a Truck Series team, have acknowledged the difficulty of NASCAR.
However, the debate over the athletic stature of NASCAR drivers is not unanimous within the sport. While Daniel Suarez of 23XI Racing echoes Logano’s sentiments, Chase Elliott, the 2020 Cup series champion, and former Cup driver Dale Earnhardt Jr. take a more nuanced stance. Although they acknowledge the unique demands of NASCAR, they hesitate to label themselves as athletes.
While the question of athleticism in NASCAR continues to be a subject of debate, Logano also had to field questions about the recent controversy involving his teammate Austin Cindric. Cindric was penalized by NASCAR with a $50,000 fine and a 50-point deduction for on-track retaliation at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA). Logano’s comments on the issue reflected the growing frustration within the driver community over perceived inconsistency in NASCAR’s penalties.
Logano’s impassioned defense of drivers’ athletic capabilities and his take on Cindric’s controversial penalty are sure to add fuel to the fire as Phoenix Raceway prepares for another weekend of high-octane action. The racing world will be watching closely, both on and off the track.
