Every four years, the greatest athletes from around the world meet to see who is the best of the best in the world of sports. There is, however, one sport not currently represented in the games. Racing, in the Motorsports variety, has grown continuously for years. In North America, NASCAR racing is the number one spectator sport. Also growing in popularity in the United States is Formula One Racing. The Indy Racing League's merger with the Champ Car Series has also helped to increase the popularity of open wheel racing in the United States. I'm no open wheel expert, but with two open wheel series' in the world, it seems to me that since there are now two main open wheel series, it will only help to increase the popularity of both for years to come.
Most imporantly, NASCAR has reached outside the United States to venues in Canada and Mexico. In the past, events have also been held in Japan. Formula One has also always had a tremendous following in Europe, and has increased its popularity in the United States.
Obviously it takes more than just a popular sport to become part of the Olympic games, but there is no question that the world is definitely aware of the excitement that racing has.
Mototsports athletes (NASCAR, at least), seem thrilled by the idea of being represented in the games.
"I want one of those gold medals, man." When Dale Earnhardt Jr. says it, you think he's probably joking. But he's not. "I want to know how I stack up against all these other guys from all these other types of racing from all over the world," he said. "Who doesn't? And what better place is there to do that than at the Olympics? Dude, it would be so huge."
When Jeff Burton was asked if he was watching the Olympics last weekend when Michael Phelps continued his quest for 8 gold medals:
"Was I watching Michael Phelps?" Jeff Burton can't believe the question is even being asked. "Of course I was; weren't you?"
It helps if the athletes chosen to represent the country actually want to be there. It seems like the interest is definitely there.
Of course people will argue that Motorsports does not count because the drivers would rely too much on a car to help them achieve greatness at the Olympics. That argument does not hold up when compared to current games in the Olympics. Doesn't a sailor in the Olympics need the boat to compete? Doesn't a rider in the sport of Equestrian need the horse to compete?
People can say all they want that Motorsports has no place in the Olympics, but if these sports are in, why shouldn't Motorsports be?
In order for this to work, there needs to be solid competition from all nations represented. Between Formula One, Indy, and NASCAR, there are currently 6 continents respresented by the drivers. Baseball and Softball have been removed from the 2012 games, in part because the US has dominated. The current United States basketball team is also dominating and on its way to a gold medal.
I don't think this would be the case in Motorsports. There are plenty of good drivers spread throughout different nations all over the world. It would be amazing to see drivers like Lewis Hamilton, Kimi Räikkönen, Scott Dixon, Helio Castroneves, Jimmie Johnson, and Dale Earnhardt, Jr. along with their teams bring a car to the event and see who has the best driver, the best team, and the best pit crew.
If table tennis, synchronized swimming, and trampoline are in the Olympics, isn't it about time Motorsports made an appearance as well?
Racers in agreement that Olympics and motorsports should mix [ESPN]
more
Comment!