Not to beat a dead horse . . .

They don't just go around in circle. To someone who hasn't learned to see beyond that, you can't understand what makes it so interesting to some people.

Most of the under 40 NASCAR drivers have college degrees, as do the crew chiefs. They study aerodynamics, thermodynamics, fluidynamics (or whatever the term is), chemistry and more.

It's 43 drivers:

Constantly watching to make sure that the cars around them aren't bouncing into them (and with all the safety equipment that has become harder and harder),

Looking to draft behind a car (and also along the side of a car) in order to either go faster or to break up the aerodynamics of the other car to make them less stable,

Dealing with the various conditions of the road surfaces - the banking with can be extreme - over 30 degrees - the different nature of each and every curve,

Finding the right groove that works the best with the current conditions of their car.

Constantly watching the dials and gauges to make sure the car isn't running too hot, that oil pressure is strong, etc.

Talking on the radio with the crew chief to discuss car conditions and strategy.

Listening on the radio to spotters who are constantly telling you who is around you and making a move.

Working with partners in other cars to try to improve your standing or help them and trying to work on temporary alliances with other cars around you.

Dealing with the extremely fatiguing issues of the heat, the noise, the multiple G forces, the constant jerking around, the knowledge that no matter how careful you are, you could be wiped out by someone else's mistake.

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NASCAR (The Nextel Cup) is the major leagues of auto racing. There are just as many fans at a MLB game who will one day play in the majors as there are NASCAR fans at Daytona who will one day race in a NASCAR Nextel Cup race.

Yes, for an activity, baseball is a lifelong thing. But - hey guess what - so is auto racing. Midget racing is sanctioned for kids as young as 5 or 6 and my friend who is 60 is still competative - not in his age group but against 30 year olds. Now of course, not all racers need to be in top physical shape, but you'll see a lot less huge bellies in the local pits than you will see on the golf course around here.