By Limp Noodle
No Further Explanation
At March 27’s Town Hall meeting, the Chestertown Police Department reported to the town council that they have discovered evidence of an illegal drag racing league on High Street. As this news reached campus, students engaged in debate over whether or not drag racing should be considered a sport.
Drag racing is a competitive motorized vehicle race typically between two cars. Drag race courses are short distances and focus on how fast the cars can accelerate to beat their opponents.
The presence of the league sparked intense debate in the community and across campus about safety.
Students expressed concerns with this activity taking place so close to campus. Many off-campus students have worry about returning home late at night and risking running into these dangerous cars as they cross High Street.
Other students argued that drag racing shouldn’t even be considered a real sport. Senior lacrosse captain Tanner Beige is one of those individuals.
“As a member of the Washington College Lacrosse, ROLL SHORE, I can say in full confidence that drag racing is not a real sport,” said Beige. “I mean driving a car is not a sport and I would know, I am a [Division three] athlete.”
He argued that playing a sport requires skill, practice, and athleticism.
A sophomore student, who wishes to remain anonymous, argues that drag racing is as much a sport as any other WC varsity sport. According to them, racers must be fit, have physical prowess, be competitive, and skillful.
“Anyone who says drag racing isn’t a sport has clearly never been behind a wheel,” said the student participant. “We work out, lift weights, and practice our driving skills every day. We are just as committed as every other athlete to our trade.”
Some students like sophomore Leroy Shook Jr. have nothing but positive things to say about the presence of drag racing in Chestertown.
Shook said, “I am a really big proponent of drag culture and specifically Ru Paul’s Drag Race. I think that any drag in Chestertown is a positive.”
Chestertown Police are discouraging students and town members from attempting to watch the illegal activities but this has not stopped students who are planning to attend the races. One student shared that watching drag racing is the closest thing to orgasming as they will get. “Look, I like watching teams win. The police can’t stop me from watching a sport in this town that will actually win, especially looking at the record of our sports teams at this college,” the student said