This is a question I have heard discussed quite a bit in the last few weeks across a few different forums. Some say no way, and others are very emphatic that they are. Based on the definition of what makes a person an athlete, then the answer would have to be….YES.

I drove race cars on short tracks, both dirt and asphalt for about 10 years. I’m not exactly in marathon running shape, but still; driving a race car in any environment is VERY demanding. So, I definitely subscribe to the idea of yes they are.

 In most sports the players have times when they are sitting on a bench watching other players play the game. In racing the closest thing to a “timeout” is under caution where you are still buckled into this very hot, beast of a machine; and usually still having to be very aware of your surroundings or trying to get the car perfectly into a small box so your crew can make a 13 second pit stop…..not much of a break.

I gained a lot of respect for Brad Keselowski this weekend. After he had a horrendous testing wreck at Road Atlanta, breaking his ankle in the wreck; he went on to Pocono Sunday and pulls off a gutsy win, making himself the current Wild Card leader for the Chase.

Reminded me of men before him such as Ricky Rudd, Dale Earnhardt, Mark Martin and many others who still got the job done while enduring some pretty serious injuries. Not only are they athletes, but some REALLY tough guys to boot. Gotta love our heroes….

One last sad note, yet another race track seems to be going by the wayside.  This week Nashville Superspeedway has announced no more NASCAR sanctioning for them, meaning no more trucks or Nationwide races to be held there, at least for 2012.

Well, that’s all for me this week; until next time keep the shiny side up!

 MORE NASCAR NEWS