NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain has expressed strong disagreement with sports commentator Stephen A. Smith's recent assertion that auto racers do not qualify as athletes. Chastain suggested that opinions lacking direct knowledge of the subject matter might be best withheld.
Addressing Smith's remarks, Chastain stated, “That’s his opinion. We’ve all got them. He has a microphone and he’s using it, and he got the clicks.” The accomplished driver then questioned Smith's familiarity with the sport's participants, adding, “I don’t know that he even — I know he doesn’t know me, and I don’t believe, I don’t know. I guess my opinion is I don’t know that he knows a NASCAR driver if one walked in the room, if we didn’t have our fire suit on.” Chastain concluded his thought by emphasizing, “If you don't know the people that you're giving an opinion on, I'm not sure that I can put much credit to it.”
Smith's Controversial Stance
Smith initially sparked debate in April during his SiriusXM program by arguing that race car drivers do not engage in physical exertion comparable to traditional athletes. He characterized their role as simply operating a vehicle.
“Come on, man. That don’t count. You driving a car!” Smith exclaimed on his show. “I’m being honest. It’s a great sport. But come on, bro. Getting behind the wheel of a car is not the same. You can be behind the wheel of a car in your 60s and 70s, for crying out loud.”
Drivers Push Back
Chastain is not alone in his objection; fellow NASCAR figures like Kyle Larson and Jeff Gordon have also voiced their disapproval of Smith's perspective. Chastain reiterated his view that Smith lacks personal acquaintance with NASCAR drivers, noting, however, the broad influence of Smith's platform.
Chastain further elaborated on the importance of direct experience, stating, “If you don't know, like you have to, you at least have to know one driver, or have met them more than seeing a clip on TV. That's his opinion. He's got a big, big audience, that he talks to, through his microphone, and those waves go a long way, so that's fine.”
During the same commentary where he discussed NASCAR drivers, Smith also asserted that professional golfers do not qualify as athletes.
