Driving isn't a trait it's a skill, no strenght required, no agility required no endurance so whats your point!
Please don't tell me how hard they breath at the end of a run that comes from the "G' forces they go through on a run.
The car is doing most of the competative work now if the drivers lined up against each other and sprinted the quarter mile then I would consider them a athlete!
Here is a question for you how many athletes are 70 years old or lets take John Force as an example he is 59 that you see in an athletic sport?
An athlete reaches their peak at 28 so NO they are not athletes geez!
There is your explaination take it any way you want!