Why do you watch auto racing?

Q: I know I'm going to offend people by asking this question, but please believe me when I tell you that that is NOT my intent. I'm curious what the appeal is for watching auto racing? I'll admit to being morbidly interested in seeing crashes, and I'm very impressed to see the pit crews hustle the way they do, but that's about all I can get from it. I don't understand what the "sport" is here. It's a race, so it seems like the one with the fastest car should win...so isn't this racing all about engineering, more than what the actual driver does? I imagine there must be strategy involved in deciding when to go for a pit stop, and quick thinking involved when something goes wrong. But I can't see that sustaining my interest for however many hours these races go on for. Again, I'm very sorry if my question offends anyone. But I've spent a bit of time thinking about this myself, and I just can't see the appeal. Can someone please enlighten me? Thanks!!

A: Well, first off, your assumption about the effect of the driver is way off... the driver is the vast majority of the equation in most forms of auto racing. Yes, the engineering of the car, the prep of the car, the race stategy, and many many other factors come into play, but ultimately it's about the driver. This can get a little lost as professional drivers tend to be very close in skill level (just as with any other sport, the worst performer in these areas are still so far above a "normal" person that the full scope of difference between them may be lost). So what's the sport? The sport is piloting the car around the course and doing so as fast as possible. This is not easy, it's physically and mentally demanding, and requires great balance and sight. Additionally, while doing so, you must protect your racing line against other drivers, while pursuing anyone in front of you... doing so, you must maintain your momentum while compromising your racing line in order to keep or improve your position (while everyone else on track is doing the same). Depending on what specific racing format you are talking about, there are many other challenges that can work into the demands on the driver, ranging from managing the tires or other limitations on the car (common in any sprint race where pitting for a tire change would effectively eliminate the driver from the race)... long term focus and stamina (endurance racing)... and so on. For me, I enjoy watching racing for many reasons, some related to my own motorsports pursuits, but ultimately it's enjoyable watching good drivers do their job (and also, for me, a perfect race to watch is one that involves no crashes, though I do understand they can be something to watch). Much like baseball diehards can become very engrossed in a pitchers duel while others will be bored, some will not enjoy autoracing or some forms of it.

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