WATCH: When Bubba Wallace Explained Why NASCAR is a Sport, Unlike Golf

If we’re being honest, there are often some sports fans who don’t think of motorsport as a sport. Their justification is that it is merely hopping into a car and just driving around as fast as possible. Granted, it is not as physical as playing soccer or American football. However, there is no denying that driving a racing car or riding a motorbike does take a toll on the body.

In the I AM ATHLETE podcast, Bubba Wallace spoke on the matter and firmly defended NASCAR. According to him, unlike golf, NASCAR is quite a physical sport.

He said, “We always throw in the heat element. You can relate on heat, hottest you’ve played in is 90°F weather. We about 150°F, not to get on top of you. That’s one. Two, is the mental capability you got to have to get beat around but not losing your cool. Getting knocked around a couple of times and get back up.”

“You got to be able to do that, but over four hours. We don’t get time-outs, don’t get a little water girl to come over and give you a little drink. Position your car in the most competitive way possible, whether it’s a headlight out, left or right. Half an inch here, half an inch there, we’re fighting for a thousandths of an inch.”

READ MORE: Bubba Wallace’s Spotter Locks Horns With Fellow NASCAR Spotter About the Polarizing Race at Darlington

How else did Bubba Wallace defend NASCAR’s status as a sport?

The 23XI Racing driver also admitted that the Homestead-Miami track is one of the best tracks in his opinion. This is because the track is so wide that it can accommodate multiple lanes of drivers. What makes this even more incredible is the fact that the cars are running at 185 miles an hour.

One thing is for sure, Wallace is immensely proud to be a NASCAR driver. Despite the lack of laurels, the African-American driver has established himself as a fierce competitor. In fact, he won his home race at the Talladega Superspeedway last year. Truthfully speaking, some fans have been challenging that win, since he won it after a lengthy rain delay.

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