"Auto racing, bull fighting, and mountain climbing are the only real sports…all others are games."
--Ernest Hemingway

NASCAR Racing-which stands for National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing-has become one of the most popular sports in America. According to a recent Weekly Reader Research survey of children ages 6 to18 years old, 51 percent are favorably disposed toward NASCAR racing. And it's the second highest rated regular season sport on TV.

But what if your child dreams of actually driving the cars, rather than simply watching the races? Children as young as 16 can begin driving at Riverhead Raceway-the only NASCAR track in the New York Metropolitan area.

"A young driver at Riverhead would gain experience and then move on to higher divisions," explains Andrew Giangola, of the NASCAR New York City office. "Think of it in terms of baseball. The Yankees and the Mets are the ultimate for New York fans, but there are minor leagues like the Ducks on the way up. And then there are the children who play little league, and dream of becoming a major league player."

The Daytona 500 is the largest and most prestigious NASCAR race, but there are regional series across the country. If you're thinking about introducing your family to the sport, consider attending a race at either Pocono Raceway or New Hampshire International Speedway-both within easy driving distance from Long Island. For more information, go to www.nascar.com.

Julie Vecchione DeSimone is a freelance writer from Centerport. Her husband and son will attend their first NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway on June 10.