NASCAR and Formula One are the two most popular and best loved track motor sports in the world. They are also complete polar opposites. They are the chalk and cheese of motor sports: NASCAR uses carburetors in its engines, which is now outdated in the road cars they are named after; Formula One uses technology that would rival most air forces. In NASCAR at any given point there will probably be two side-by-side cars, while in Formula One most overtaking is done when a car has a longer pit stop than the other one.

For the most part there fans are split geographically with Formula One being synonymous for motorsport in Europe, Asia and South America with NASCAR the most popular form of racing on four wheels in the States. It isn't hard to see why. In the USA there is one Formula One race in a good year, with no race at all in 2008 at least and an appalling excuse for one in 2005 while there will almost certainly be a NASCAR race at your local track at some point during the season. And while NASCAR never ventures to the other side of the Atlantic the annual F1 race is the highlight of the year for various country's motor sport communities.

Which in many ways, is quite upsetting.

It is upsetting that so many people on both sides of the Atlantic are missing out on the motor sport which they would prefer if distance wasn't a problem. It is upsetting that many fans of both are critical of the other, without actually knowing what it has to offer. So I have attempted to give you an idea of which one you might like.

From the outside, NASCAR looks like the more attractive option. The racing action is brilliant, the championships are close, merchandise is easy to get your hands on, there are far more races to watch and when at the races you can see a lot more. If you like watching huge pile-ups there are more of those too.

In comparison Formula One appears to be poor. A story of one NASCAR fan asking an F1 journalist (and not in a sarcastic way) if overtaking was allowed in F1 sums up the problem. The championships are less exciting too, information is scarce because the teams are so secretive, there are only eighteen races per year and attending a race often gives you less of an idea of what is going on than if you were watching it on TV. The phrase: a blur of color and noise, is common among Formula One die hards.

For most people, who want entertainment and generally some good fun NASCAR is the option. Even if you live in Europe you can watch it on

• 1
• 2
• next page >>

---

Add your voice

Know something about NASCAR vs. Formula One?
We want to hear your view. Write now!