Stephen A. Smith has never been one to back down from a hot take. But his recent comments about NASCAR drivers crossed a line — and it's time for him to do something he rarely does: apologize.
During a segment on his radio show this spring, Smith dismissed NASCAR drivers as athletes, lumping them in with golfers and suggesting that driving a car doesn't require the same physical prowess as playing in the NBA or NFL. “Come on, man. That don’t count. You driving a car!” he said, via Awful Announcing. “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.”
He then took aim at golfers, adding: “just because you gotta walk the course for 18 holes for four days, that don’t make you an athlete.”
But Smith's dismissal ignores the brutal reality of what it takes to pilot a stock car at 200 mph for hours on end. The g-forces, the heat inside the cockpit, the split-second decision-making, and the sheer endurance required make NASCAR drivers some of the most conditioned athletes in sports. It's not just about turning left — it's about surviving a high-speed chess match where one mistake can be fatal.
NASCAR World Fires Back
NASCAR legend and current announcer Kevin Harvick didn't hold back when responding to Smith's comments. “If you don’t know anything about racing, just keep your opinion to yourself because you shouldn’t even have an opinion if you don’t know anything about a sport,” Harvick said. “I think this is just an instance where Stephen A. Smith is looking for clicks on something he knows absolutely nothing about.”
Harvick's frustration is shared by many in the racing community, especially after a tragic year that saw the sport lose one of its brightest stars. The conversation around driver safety and respect has never been more important. In fact, NASCAR has been urged to waive the Hall of Fame wait time following Kyle Busch's tragic passing, highlighting the deep emotional stakes that come with this sport.
Why Smith's Comments Miss the Mark
Smith's argument that driving a car doesn't make you an athlete is rooted in a fundamental misunderstanding of what racing demands. Drivers must maintain peak physical condition to withstand the rigors of a 500-mile race. Their heart rates can spike to levels comparable to marathon runners, and they lose several pounds of water weight through sweat alone during a single event. The mental focus required to navigate traffic at 200 mph while adjusting to changing track conditions is a skill that takes years to master.
It's also worth noting that Smith's comments came during a broader discussion about all-time great athletes, which suggests he simply doesn't view motorsports as a legitimate athletic pursuit. That's not just wrong — it's disrespectful to the countless drivers who dedicate their lives to perfecting their craft.
Time for a Mea Culpa
Smith should do more than just walk back his comments. He should attend a NASCAR race, sit in the passenger seat of a top-speed car, and experience firsthand the physical toll that racing takes. Only then will he understand why his words were so off-base.
This isn't the first time Smith has faced backlash for his takes. Recently, Nick Wright blasted Smith over a 'fantasy' accusation involving Klutch Sports, showing that even within ESPN, there's pushback against his style. But this particular incident feels different because it dismisses an entire sport and its athletes without any effort to understand them.
Smith has built a career on being loud and opinionated. But when those opinions are rooted in ignorance, they do more harm than good. A sincere apology — not a sarcastic one — would go a long way toward mending fences with the NASCAR community.
And while he's at it, he might want to check out how NASCAR fans are demanding changes in the broadcast booth, because the sport is evolving and its audience expects respect from everyone, including talking heads who've never been behind the wheel.
Stephen A., it's time to say you're sorry.
