NASCAR

The debate topic of the morning, yesterday, was the entry of Toyota into NASCAR. Apparently, people are all panicked that this is the beginning of the end of NASCAR. Some people are hoisting the patriotism banner and claiming that this is just another example of foreign interests taking over all that is good and decent about America. Others complain that Toyota is destroying the sport because they are dumping huge sums of money to buy themselves a championship in the name of corporate greed.

I find it all very interesting. Americans have sensitivities to sport competitions. We are insulted if we don't dominate all sports. Other countries are just as, if not more, passionate about baseball, yet the "world series" includes only American baseball teams. Basketball is played all over Europe, but the NBA champions are always called "world champions." I imagine that people in other countries have also figured out that they can drive around in circles and charge people to watch.

Given that the "big three" NASCAR contenders make the car models they race in foreign countries and toyota makes the camry (what they will be racing next year) in the USA, the patriotism whine makes a whole lot less sense.

As for the money dump, every year the Yankees are criticized for having the largest monetary investment in their team -- but how long has it been since they "bought" a championship? All start up businesses are a huge investment. In any business, if you want to lure away the best and the brightest employees to your new business, you have to spend some dough. I think the real money argument is that adding a competitor will dilute the profits.

However, I think the real issue is not the money or the Japanese company. I think that the other NASCAR teams are worried that the entry of a Japanese company will reveal the dirty little secret of racing. The drivers aren't athletes. If technology is the deciding factor in racing, then what's the need for highly paid drivers? If superior technology can win races, then I should be able to compete and win on the NASCAR circuit.

And wouldn't that just blow the minds of people? A monkey out driving the good ol' boys?