This weekend I went with my dad to my first NASCAR race. The NASCAR races reflect a nation that is driven by a "culture of consumption"(Anne Norton 101), and to be entertained no matter the cost. Norton believes that the American culture is one that thrives on consumtion; her opinion was reflected in what I saw at the races. The races consisted of fans drinking heavily, while watching the drivers race around a big circle over and over again hoping that one lap will end in a fiery crash. Although this seems like a huge over exaggeration, the new direction that NASCAR has taken, promotes aggressive driving and higher speeds, which results in a more sensationalized car race. Putting the driver’s life at risk, a modern day gladiator battle all in the name of more money for the sponsor’s, speaks to the idea that people who watch the races want to see crashes. Additionally, NASCAR has started to encourage drivers to resolve their own conflicts, which could led to physical confrontations. It is hard to dumb down a sport that involves the fans drinking as much as I saw at the races, however when you try to get drivers to get in to more fights, that is exactly what your doing. These policies reflect an American audience who values entertainment, while de-valuing the lives of the drivers. The reality is that car racing fans want to be “entertained” at the expense of the car drivers.
Norton, Anne. The Signs of Shopping. Sogns of Life. Ed. John Sullivan 111. 6th. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. 101. Print.
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