NASCAR drivers are not holding back in expressing their displeasure with Stephen A. Smith’s recent comments.
Famed driver Kevin Harvick took aim at the ESPN commentator after Smith claimed that NASCAR racers aren’t athletes. Harvick is among several sports figures pushing back against Smith’s statements.
“If you don’t know anything about racing, maybe keep your opinions to yourself. Honestly, if you’re uninformed about the sport, you really shouldn’t have an opinion,” Harvick stated on Tuesday.
He further remarked, “I think this is just another instance of Stephen A. Smith trying to stir things up about something he clearly doesn’t understand.”
Smith, at 58 years old, faced backlash after making disparaging remarks about race car drivers, especially after a caller brought up Richard Petty during a talk on the greatest athletes of all time.
“Come on, dude. That doesn’t count,” Smith responded during his show when Petty’s achievements were highlighted. “Do you actually drive a car?”
Upon learning that fans were unhappy with his comments, the “First Take” host elaborated on why he considered the driver not to be an athlete.
“You can get behind the wheel of a car at 75 years old. That just doesn’t count. That’s not comparable. It has no place in this conversation. You should be ashamed for even trying to make that argument,” Smith insisted. “Golfers aren’t athletes. NASCAR drivers aren’t athletes either. That’s just reality. We can’t act like that’s true.”
Many in the racing community have voiced their dissent, and Harvick’s remarks hold a particular significance as he ranks 11th in the NASCAR Cup Series with 60 wins, according to Motorsport.com.
As an analyst for Fox Sports, Harvick utilized science to challenge Smith’s views on his show “Speed with Harvick and Buxton.”
He mentioned reaching out to Polar, a watch company, to wear a device during a race, which had him burning an estimated 3,200 calories. However, after a malfunction, a new device recorded a lower number of 2,400 calories due to a longer alert period.
“Marathon runners are about the only ones who burn that many calories with such consistent heart rates,” Harvick noted.
Co-host Will Buxton, a journalist, echoed Harvick’s sentiments.
“Any elite driver is an elite athlete,” he said. “Motor racing is not just about sitting there, pushing pedals and steering. It’s much more intense.”
“This is one of the most extreme sports there is.”
