Any time 50 year olds can compete alongside 20 somethings, it's a pretty clear sign that 'athlete' does not apply.

No NASCAR Fan--see, that's the thing: I'm just not sure one does need to possess other-worldly endurance to be successful. Might it help? Sure, but, I don't think it's a requirement. Tony Stewart may not be as "unfit" as some others who have been successful, but I'm willing to bet that his endurance is still far less impressive than, say, even a marginally fit runner's.

KS--yes, this discussion is obviously reliant on my definition of 'athlete,' and, as I wrote originally, I'm disinclined to call most baseball players athletes. But, again, I'm just not sure I think you need to be in particularly good shape to drive a race car fast for three hours. Might it help? Sure. You'll be less fatigued generally, you'll recover more quickly, etc., but, I think you can be fairly unfit and still be a good, successful driver.

But I do realize it takes an insane amount of endurance and focus to race 500 laps around a track.

Going 200mph is not something you can just sit back and relax to.

To be an athlete you don't always need big muscles and a flat stomach.

You make a good point, but it all depends on what your defintion of an athlete is. Most football players hands down are athletes, soccer players are athletes, hockey players are athletes. But what about baseball players, are they athletes? Thats difficult to say, some say yes some say no, I say eh.

I agree, you do not have to be an athlete to be a successful race car driver, but it sure does help. Tony Stewart is probably the fattest driver out there that I have seen at his level. You have to be in shape to drive those cars around as fast as they go and for as long as they go.