Yes sports fans, it’s that time yet again. I’m not talking about spring training in baseball. I’m not talking about the run to March Madness in college basketball. I’m talking about the Daytona 500 and the start of the NASCAR Nextel Cup season.

Now, I know what you’re all thinking. Half of you are thinking, “Is this guy seriously writing a column about racing?” The other half are thinking, “Well, it’s about time somebody talks about the greatest sport in the world.”

Is NASCAR a sport? Are all NASCAR fans overweight rednecks? Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines, as I give you the top four myths on the fastest-growing sport in America.

4. Racecar drivers aren’t athletes.

Hardly. If you say that, then you should try steering a car at 185 mph for three to four hours straight in 150-degree heat. Try changing four tires on a car in less than 15 seconds. Although racecar drivers might not fit your traditional athletes, your ordinary Joe Schmo couldn’t make it two laps around Daytona, let alone 500 miles.

Driving a racecar is extremely dangerous. If you won’t call them athletes, then at least give them respect and admit racecar drivers have bigger cajones than the average human being.

3. What’s the point? It’s cars going around in circles!

I’ve heard this about as many times as the number of husbands J.Lo has had. Yeah, I guess you have a point on this one. It literally is a bunch of cars driving around in circles. But there’s so much more to it — pit strategy, drafting, spotting. One minor driver slip-up could cost himself and other drivers their lives. Yes, they drive around in circles. Have you ever been to a track meet? What’s the difference there? About 180 mph.

2. Racing is only popular in the South.

That’s extremely untrue. Yes, NASCAR started off as a Southern sport, but has worked itself up and is the fastest growing sport in all of America. NASCAR is also the highest-rated spectator sport in the country.

What started off in the “dirty” South is now all the way out to California and is becoming more popular in the Midwest than anywhere else in the country. You might not see them all walking around in their Dale Earnhardt Jr. hats, but I can guarantee you there are a ton of NASCAR fans here at Iowa State.

1. All racing fans are rednecks.

If you’ve ever said that before, I have this to offer you: Not every racing fan shaves the number of his favorite driver on the back of his head while waving a Confederate flag at a race.

Not every woman attending a race wears a sweaty sports bra and sings “Redneck Woman” at the top of her lungs.

Racing fans are a lot of things, but at the top of that list is the word passionate.

Racing fans will follow their driver for his entire career, even if he wins three races in 15 years.

If you ever get a chance to experience a live NASCAR event, do it. You won’t be disappointed.