Consider that no type of motor racing has ever been considered a "sport" by the media. It gets attention now because NASCAR is big business. The early drivers werre daredevils and not athletes. Sports like game fishing gathered more media attention than Motor sports. Auto racing was not considered a "gentlemens sport" until recent years and the stigma was hard to overcome until big money business became involved. It is hard to consider the captains of industry "daredevils" or 'ungentlemanly" since they greased the wheels of the financial world.
In the formative of the Indy 500, open wheel racing got zero press coverage until Gasoline Alley opened in May, preparing for the "500" and until the checkered flag waved. News of motorsports beyond that was ignored. NASCAR was pretty much a non-entity until the famous fisticuff battle between Yarborough and Allison televised fight and later Burt Reynolds and Hal Needam gussied up showboat transporter and crew.
Another point is stick and ball sports have hometowns to cheer them on whereas NASCAR has drivers and venues from varying locales. This adds to the popularity and recognition of the major teams.
As to determine whether a motor sport competitor is really an athlete or not, it might be interesting if a sport writer were to compare a motocross rider to a hockey or football player and they will find motocross is more demanding.
It requires skills beyond standing above two wheels. Total concentration and full physical effort are required for the entire length of the race, whereas hockey players do get breaks and are not in play for the entire time the game is played. Place a pro-football player in a Winston Cup car for 3 and one-half hours with temperatures in excess of 120 degrees and no break other than 14 seconds on pit road and there should be no further discussion as what is considered an athlete. I wonder how many pro football players could endure that mental and physical stress ten months of the year and be on call for practice the other two months.
There are a multitude of reasons motor sports should be given greater recognition than they are, but, who really cares?? Is it really important what some writer who has a passing interest or limited knowledge has published? Many don't know and if they do, still write only what gets the attention of the general public, the largest percentage rumor and or discussion of arguments between the major players.
