Sunday, July 24th 'What If' Question

Oh, it just won't die. It's one thing when non-NASCAR fans start spewing about how it's not a sport and NASCAR drivers aren't athlete but it's entirely another thing when adults and other athletes make that statement.

The argument, are NASCAR drivers athletes, just won't go away. It's never going to either. But the discussion has gotten quite heated the last few weeks after Seattle Seahawks player Golden Tate tweeted during the ESPY's "Jimmy Johnson up for best athlete???? Um nooo .. Driving a car does not show athleticism." His tweet came after seeing the nominates for Best Male Athlete, which Johnson did not end up winning.

In addition to Tate's spelling of "Jimmie" it was clear that he knew very little if not nothing about the sport and its drivers. He was quickly pounced on by drivers, fans and media about his opinion. After tweeting a few more ignorant comments, Tate reversed course and not only apologized but said he did research and felt he had a better understanding of the sport.

It didn't stop the comments from the NASCAR world though. Johnson has invited Tate to a race and a ride along, saying he wants to show him what drivers do. Tate acknowledged he'd like to do that. Then Denny Hamlin stepped up with an offer that many are not only intrigued by but eager to see happen. Hamlin tweeted, "I would like to challenge @showtimeTate at any neutral sport. Basketball, tennis, golf, baseball, hockey. Best of 3 wins. Lets go."

Tate has not yet acknowledged that tweet or responded to Hamlin's challenge. Everyone has since started to move on from the incident after Tate appeared on Sirius NASCAR radio to talk about his comments and Johnson and others talked to the NASCAR media about it last weekend in New Hampshire.

But ...

What if Golden Tate took up Denny Hamlin's best of 3 challenge in basketball, tennis, golf, baseball or hockey, better athlete is..? #NASCAR

@Debbie_Str8Away He would still have splinters from sitting on the bench LOL

@Lady31RCR I think Denny wins the what if question FOSHO!!

@4xLeft Tate played football and baseball at ND. @dennyhamlin would probably take golf, but I'd put my money on Tate in baseball and basketball. Don't know about tennis or hockey.

Mark Eckhart (via Facebook) well isn't Denny a pretty good basketball player, so he'd probably win that if chosen, and he's probably been golfing quite a bit as a racer so I'd take Denny