- Why so much turnover in mayor's office?
- Hearing on the Ruby Hill towers
- Let freedom ring
- Promoting socialized medicine
- Immigration Laws or Lack Thereof
- Atheist Diversionary Tactics
- The "Melting Pot" is unique to America
- Many mighty hearts covering the world
- Roan Drilling Bad for Colorado, country
- Americans entitled to universal health care
NASCAR races are a real family sport
This Speakout has not been edited
Jim Kenfield, Elizabeth
I would like to have this published in the Speakout column in response to an incorrect article in the weekend sports section. I wish to correct some incorrect information in it.
The headline of a column in the weekend sports section of the News was more than misleading; it was a total untruth. The headline read "NASCAR cheats its way to the top." I wonder if this headline was a matter of ignorance on the part of the writer or an example of the writer's bias against motorsports.
As Denver is a big "ballsport" town, it seems that every so often an article or letter appears in print that seems to be contemptuous of auto racing.
These seem to be more prevalent now that a company is considering the building of a new auto race track.
The headline and text of the article would give some the impression that NASCAR condones cheating. Actually, NASCAR deals very severely with those found to be cheating, witness the penalties imposed last week. As to the assertion that "Stock car racing has a grand tradition of cheating", nothing can be further from the truth. There have always been a few individuals who did so but NASCAR has always dealt with them. And, when NASCAR deals with cheaters of banned substance abuse, the actions are swift, sure, and severe. Compare this to the "ballsports" figures who use banned substances again and again: slaps on the wrist, excuses, and other light penalties. Remember Daryl Strawberry and Ricky Williams?
Recently there have been some letters condemning auto racing as a terrible waste of fuel and big contributors to air pollution. Again, these seem to be from uninformed or biased individuals. Some years ago an independent research firm checked this out. SURPRISE!!! It was found out that ALL auto racing in America consumed less fuel and caused less pollution than did ONE major "ballsport" team as it played games around the country. Imagine how much fuel the aircraft that carry the Broncos for instance, use and how much pollution they cause. Now think about how many major teams in these sports there are.
Many fans live their lives vicariously through football, baseball, and basketball games. Many of those fans could probably play these games on a lesser scale than the majors, but one wonders just how many could or would drive an 800 horsepower car at 180 miles per hour just inches away from the other competitors on the track.
The writer's final comment that "NASCAR cares enough to cheat, just like real sports." Again, ignorance or bias? The largest spectator sport in the world is horse racing, the second largest is auto racing. The "ballsports" are quite a ways down the list. And, the Indianapolis 500 is the world's largest one day spectator event. Real sports he says?
Auto racing unlike the "ballsports", does not schedule events on family days such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, or Mothers' day, all family days. Auto racing regards itself as a family sport and is careful to not take away from traditional family days.
Maybe the writer ought to read the book he mentions, "Idiots' guide to motor cars."