<b>ath·lete ( P ) Pronunciation Key (thlt)
n.

A person possessing the natural or acquired traits, such as strength, agility, and endurance, that are necessary for physical exercise or sports, especially those performed in competitive contexts.</b>

This is the definition of an athlete from dictionary.com.

A nascar driver is strapped tight inside a racecar for 3-4 hours typically. Once the race starts, there are far fewer breaks for them than say a football player or a baseball player. 15 second pit stops and caution periods are the only time the racer gets a chance to take a "breather". A football player usually plays only offense or defense and is on the field for roughly half the game. Lets say an hour and a half. And they aren't constantly playing. They are often standing in a huddle. And don't get me started on baseball. Other than the pitcher, I'd say that these guys are far less athletes than a racecar driver. Sitting on the bench waiting to bat, or standing in the outfield waiting for a ball to come your way.

Okay, I know you want to say that a racecar driver just sits in a car and steers. There is more to it than that. First of all, it is typically much hotter inside the car than outside. On 80 degree plus days it is usually well over 100 degrees in the car. They are wearing fireproof suits, gloves, and a helmet. They get a little air circulation into the helmet, that's about it. They also have to deal with high g forces for 3 plus hours. Studies have been done that show that the nascar drivers heart rate is highly elevated while they are in the race.

[qq=Dingo Jellybean]and no sane doctor is going to recommend you play golf or drive cars to lose weight.[/qq]

While I agree that no sane doctor would recommend racing for weight loss, it is a FACT that racers typically lose 5 to 10 pounds in a SINGLE race. They have to continually be reminded to tighten their seat belts throughout the race because of this.

I think that a racecar drive is an athlete. Based on the definition that I found, a racecar driver has to possess strength and definitely endurance to survive a 3 hour race. Most full time nascar drivers have an extensive work-out program to prepare for the race.

And yes I know that I'm a crappy debater.

EDIT: A few articles to read, if you want.
<a href="http://msnbc.msn.com/id/4243400/">Here.</a>
<a href="http://www.usatoday.com/sports/motor/nascar/2001-08-08-heat.htm">Here.</a>
<a href="http://www.augustachronicle.com/stories/062404/ins_fit.shtml">And here.</a>