I've got news for you. Race car drivers are definitely athletes. No they don't run, block or tackle but the physical and mental demands are huge. As someone that has done this for 18 years in a some very demanding forms of that sport, I can tell you it takes incredible stamina, reflexes, split second decisions, coordination and mental focus. Really, unless you've done it, you have no idea. In many forms of racing, there are no whistles or timeouts. You never relax sometimes for periods of hours. Studies have shown that Motocross is the most demanding physical sport of all. I'd bet the ranch that if you asked Joe Gibbs if race car drivers are athletes he'd give you a great answer as to why they are. Only people to have never been involved would argue otherwise.