Stephen A. Smith didn’t just stir debate. Instead, he managed to unite the entire NASCAR Cup Series garage against him. His blunt claim that “a NASCAR driver is not an athlete” quickly spread across the sport, drawing strong reactions from drivers who live the physical and mental grind every race weekend. Among them was Joey Logano, who fired back publicly, only for Smith to respond again. Things have escalated into what has now become one of the most talked-about cross-sport debates of the season.
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Stephen A. Smith adds fuel to the fire
“Do I look like somebody that needs to be relevant? I am relevant. I have a show that airs nationwide every weekday for two hours on radio after I have a national number one morning show on television or two hours every day for the last 14 years. What are you talking about? This is the problem. Can we grow up? Can we grow up?” Stephen A. Smith fired back, addressing the criticism (and specifically Joey Logano) head-on.
But while Smith defended his stance, his original claim is exactly where the disconnect lies. Because the physical and mental demands of racing tell a very different story. A NASCAR race isn’t a short burst of action. Drivers spend three to four hours inside the car without breaks, strapped into a cockpit where temperatures soar, all while maintaining laser focus at speeds approaching 200 mph. Reaction times are measured in milliseconds, especially in pack racing, where one wrong move can trigger a multi-car wreck.
.@stephenasmith responds to @joeylogano’s comments and was NOT happy. Around the 10 minute mark… “Joey Logano, I don’t know you from a can of paint.” youtu.be/_6UFAOdN9MM?si… #NASCAR
And the physical strain is relentless. To understand it, look beyond NASCAR. Josef Newgarden, a two-time IndyCar champion, once demonstrated his training routine publicly, and it’s anything but passive. His workout includes carrying 25-pound weights until grip strength fades, high-intensity rowing and skiing intervals that leave lungs burning, and explosive box jumps that punish the legs. Add in neck-resistance drills designed to simulate braking forces at high speed and the G-forces experienced in corners, and it becomes clear: this is elite-level conditioning.
The routine, designed by his trainer Jeff Richter, is a nonstop 35-minute circuit: weightlifting, cardio machines, balance work, and core training, with barely any rest. It’s built for endurance, strength, and neuromuscular control which all essential traits for a race car driver.
That same reality applies in NASCAR. Drivers must constantly make micro-adjustments to the steering, throttle, and brake inputs while countering G-forces that strain the neck, shoulders, and core. Heart rates often remain between 140 and 180 beats per minute for the entire race, placing them in a sustained endurance state. It’s not just driving in circles. It’s performing under continuous physical stress.
As Logano himself explained: “I run a fair amount, I lift some. We don’t want to be big and bulky inside a race car. But you have to be able to do something for a long time, so endurance is a huge thing.”
That balance of lean strength, stamina, and precision is what defines modern drivers. So while race car drivers may not fit the traditional image of athletes, the numbers (and the grind) say otherwise. Smith is right about one thing: everyone is entitled to an opinion. But in this case, the reaction from drivers made it clear that this isn’t just a debate about labels. It’s about recognizing a form of athleticism that’s been overlooked for far too long.
