NASCAR’s Love of Science Fiction:
Star Trek vs Star Wars
In the realm of science fiction, perhaps there’s no greater battle than the one between the Star Trek and Star Wars franchises. No matter which franchise is chosen, escaping to the world of Star Trek and Star Wars proves as diverting and entertaining as any NASCAR race. Speaking from personal experience, I find that this particular science fiction clash is not one at all, but more like enjoying two different versions of chocolate chip cookies or chicken nuggets (I promise I am not 12).
Before motorsports caught my attention, one of my earliest memories was watching an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation, otherwise known as TNG. At age four, I was amazed by the special effects, suspense, and structured matter of the crew in such a pitched battle. Much like NASCAR, my first impressions were great, but it took a few years before I became a loyal and passionate fan. The seemingly realistic Enterprise, the diverse crew, and relatable lessons from the 24th century fueled many of my playground adventures.
Moreover, it proved to be a way for me to bond with my older sisters. When the weekend arrived, my sisters and I spent our allowance on the latest wave of TNG action figures and conjured our own crises against the Romulans or those dreadful Cardassians (who Honest Trailers deemed “omnipresent leather skinned tyrants bent on galactic domination”).
Similarly, NASCAR Cup Series sophomore Tyler Reddick shared his first memories of TNG and what catalyzed his love of this series and the overall franchise.
“I would say, I mean, what probably got me going and watching it was it becoming available on a streaming service, years and years ago now that it was, and we were traveling down the road,” Reddick said. “So, I kind of got tired of
watching TV, and I would just watch it on my phone or on my laptop as we would travel. So I just was able to kind of binge-watch first The Next Generation, and then I kind of branched out, and then kind of… I think I watched The Next Generation.”
Reddick was so captivated by Star Trek, he nearly named his son after Captain William Thomas Riker. While Reddick’s son is named Beau instead, it’s safe to say he has an affinity for Gene Roddenberry’s beloved franchise, as he noted after replaying certain episodes.
“It’s crazy, especially in regards to Star Trek, how many details you see,” Reddick said. “But you don’t understand the first time through than when you see them the second time through, if you watch it a second time through. I think I’ve done that quite a bit with The Original Series.”
While Reddick enjoys the adventures and conflicts in the Alpha Quadrant, it’s no secret how much Ryan Blaney, driver of the No. 12 Team Penske Ford Mustang, enjoys Star Wars. From meeting Daisy Ridley of the Skywalker trilogy to cosplaying as Princess Leia, Blaney shows a love of Star Wars rivaled only by the passion of his legion fans known as Blaniacs.
After viewing The Force Awakens, Blaney said, “I liked the new Star Wars movie. I think they did a great job turning the series around. I’m excited Jar Jar isn’t in it.”
Perhaps Landon Cassill, driver of the No. 4 (& 6) JD Motorsports Chevy in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, best sums up the longevity of franchises like Star Trek and Star Wars when he said, “Nostalgia does selll”
Much like Star Trek, fans have different opinions of the various eras depicted in Star Wars. Generally speaking, this franchise’s fans love the initial trilogy from Episode IV (A New Hope) to Episode VI (Return of the Jedi), while opinions vary for the prequel trilogy Phantom Menace to Revenge of the Sith). Once the final Skywalker trilogy
arrives (Force Awakens to Rise of Skywalker), opinions are polarized from works of geniuses to popcorn art that’s left in the movie theatre.
Why do fans flock to either or both franchises? All things considered, both offer respite from external and internal challenges we face. As a nerd and science fiction lover, I say, why not love both? Whether you’re someone like me who’s chasing their journalism dreams or like Reddick, a racer who lives the dream of so many in the world of motorsports, perhaps you can appreciate the way he sums up this conundrum.
“I finally got caught up to the last one they had before Paramount+ and everything like that, with Enterprise,” Reddick said. “And then I kind of finished, and I was like, ‘Well, dang. This sucks. Now what do I do?’
And then I heard they were announcing Discovery, and then Picard, and then these other things came about through CBS. And it was really good timing, because I was kind of bummed out. I’d seen it all, watched it all. And then more content, more new series popped up, and it’s been keeping me going.”
Whether it’s making the Kessel Run in less than 12 parsecs or traveling at Warp 9 to Sector 001, both franchises offer so much. In fact, they can keep fans going into the new frontier following the COVID-19 pandemic.
Written by Rob Tiongson, May 14, 2021