Mike Joy wasn't about to let Stephen A. Smith's NASCAR comments slide.
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During Fox's broadcast of the Jack Link's 500 at Talladega, the longtime NASCAR announcer appeared to take a direct shot at Smith after the ESPN personality recently claimed race car drivers "are not athletes."
"Earlier this week, a well-known online pundit said race car drivers are not athletes," Joy said during the race broadcast. "I want to send him this sequence. And ask him to think about it."
The comment was widely viewed as a response to Smith's remarks on SiriusXM's Mad Dog Sports Radio, where he dismissed NASCAR drivers and golfers while debating the greatest athletes ever.
"You driving a car!" Smith said. "A golfer is not an athlete. A NASCAR driver is not an athlete."
Smith also argued that if "grandmas and grandpas" can do something, he doesn't consider it athletic.
That didn't sit well with plenty of people in the racing world.
Defending NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano fired back earlier in the weekend, saying personalities like Smith "have to make comments to stay relevant."
Joy then added another layer to the backlash during Sunday's nationally televised race.
NASCAR drivers and fans have long defended the sport as one that requires elite endurance, focus and reaction time, especially during races that can stretch several hours in extreme heat.
Still, Smith's comments generated exactly the kind of attention you'd expect, and judging by the reaction from NASCAR figures this weekend, the debate probably isn't ending anytime soon.
