Why NASCAR drivers aren’t buying Stephen A. Smith’s take on racing

NASCAR drivers don’t appreciate Stephen A. Smith calling them anything less than athletes. The debate flared up when Smith dismissed NASCAR drivers—and even golfers—as non-athletes during a radio show. He argued that anyone can sit behind the wheel or swing a club, no matter their age, so it doesn’t count as real athleticism. But drivers like Kevin Harvick aren’t having it. Harvick fired back that opinions without real knowledge don’t deserve to exist. "If you don’t know racing, just keep your thoughts to yourself, " he said, adding that Smith’s comments were just a cheap attempt to grab attention. Harvick’s frustration isn’t alone. Joey Logano chimed in too, calling Smith’s remarks more about controversy than truth. Logano pointed out that driving a racecar isn’t just about steering—it’s a brutal mix of intense focus, quick reflexes, and physical endurance. Not everyone can handle the pressure inside a speeding stock car. Still, Logano admitted he doesn’t waste energy arguing with Smith, knowing his own experience speaks for itself.The whole debate raises a bigger question: what actually makes someone an athlete? Sports like football or basketball have clear physical demands, but motorsports involve their own kind of strain. Drivers endure forces that push their bodies to the limit, all while making split-second decisions at high speeds. So is it fair to compare a golfer’s swing to a cross-country runner’s sprint? The conversation gets messy when people ignore the skill behind it. Smith’s comments might have been meant to spark discussion, but they ended up highlighting how little some outsiders understand about racing. For those who’ve spent years mastering their craft, dismissive remarks feel like an insult. And when athletes push back, it’s not about ego—it’s about defending what they’ve worked hard to achieve.