Of corse, as said there is some bias, which is inevitable, given that the panel is almost entirely comprised by americans. But some bias does not excuse ignorance.

I'll give examples from two sports which are in fact global sports. The first is obvious, soccer. The one truly global sport, one which, the word being use is "power", moves more power, be it money, political influence, etc, as any other. Here are some examples of people that have a lot more power and influence than many of the ones mentioned in the list. Current players: Ronaldinho, Cristiano Ronaldo, Thierry Henry. Former players: Pele, Maradona, Beckembauer, Platini (president of UEFA). Coaches: José Mourinho, Alex Ferguson. Presidents/Owners: Abramovich, Glazer, Berlusconi (former prime minister of Italy. One of the reasons he got the job was from being president of Milan), Laporta, Ramon Calderon. And the list sould go on and on.

The other sporrt is F1. Compared to it, NASCAR is a complete zero. Outside the US no one knows it. People like Michael Schumacher, Fernando Alonso, Alain Prost, Bernie Ecclestone, Max Mosley are a lot mre influencial than anyone related to NASCAR.

Ignorance is as ignorance does.

First of all, why does a sport have to be considered 'global' for it to be more powerful?

Your comment about Soccer is neither here nor there to me. I do know that football, baseball and golf are much more popular in the U.S than soccer is. Maybe David Beckham can change all that!

Second of all your comment about F1 racing is completely ignorant and completely incorrect.

Consider this information:

ABOUT NASCAR

The National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing (NASCAR) is the sanctioning body for one of America’s premier sports. NASCAR's three major national series are the NASCAR NEXTEL Cup Series, the NASCAR Busch Series and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series. These events are now broadcast in more than 150 countries. Based in Daytona Beach, Fla., with offices in Charlotte, Concord, N.C., Los Angeles, New York, Mexico City and Toronto, NASCAR sanctions 1,800 races at 120 tracks in 38 states. 

Research shows that its fans are three times as likely to try and purchase its sponsors' products compared to companies not involved in NASCAR. 

This reply was just the comedy interlude, right?

I cannot believe ou actually believe what you are saying. NASCAR is unknown in Europe and generally around the world. Just because it is claimed that it is broadcasted in 150 countries doesn't mean people watch it. It maybe broacasted in Europe by satellite but no one (no one, really...) has any idea who these people are. As around to non americans if they know anything about nascar. Only when I came to the US I knew something about NASCAR. And I lived in several European countries before that.

Just compare the amount of money each of them deals with. Can you imagine any team in NASCAR being fined 100 million dollars?

also, about the level of NASCAR, you mentioned Montoya. He only returned to NASCAR because he couldn't make t in F1. Even all the brasilians in NASCAR are only there because they can't make it in F1. Were any team in F1 to invite them, bye-bye NASCAR.

This point is totally without debate. F1 is the premier motor racing division in the world. Just because you don't know it, doesn't make differently, sorry.