I absolutely agree with everything you stated in your post. It was very well said.
I'll also add that NASCAR is appealing to me because the athletes (and that's what they are) aren't of the thug element. They also don't pose themselves with the all-too-common menacing scowl (a la the constantly angry Mooshell Obama).
In contrast, NASCAR athletes are well-mannered and present a clean-cut All-American appearance:
LOL - until they get on the in-car radio ;)
I would add NHRA as an American thing. But who am I?