| ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. | |
| OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. | |
| NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
Parents need to know that the characters in this action-packed animated series -- which is designed to promote the hugely popular NASCAR brand among children -- are exposed to danger, violence, and even death when they're out on the race track. But compared to other cartoons for kids this age, it's pretty unobjectionable overall.
NASCAR RACERS follows two competing race teams -- Team Fastex and Team Rexcor. In each episode, the rivals face off against each other in the Unlimited Division, an ultra high-tech take on real-life NASCAR competition. Team Fastex is led by Jack Fassler (voiced by Paul Dobson) and his daughter Megan (Kathleen Barr), while their rivals on Team Rexcor follow the lead of Garner Rexton (Ron Halder) and Lyle "The Collector" Owens (Scott McNeil). Other cast members include Ian James Corlett as Mark "Charger" McCutchen, Roger R. Cross as Steve "Flyer" Sharp, and Rino Romano as Carlos "Stunts" Rey. Some of the Fastex crew members show signs of burgeoning romance, but their only signs of affection are a hand on the shoulder and an occasional hug.
Team Rexcor's antipathy toward Team Fastex is cartoonishly overblown; fortunately, young viewers have Team Fastex to turn to for an example of good sportsmanship. Parents can use the relationship between the two teams to explain to kids that competitors don't always have to turn into bitter rivals.
Obviously, the show is overflowing with references to NASCAR, but other than that and a few behavioral gray areas that parents might need to clarify for younger viewers, there's really not much to object to here -- the show is certainly less violent than many others targeted at kids the same age, and young car lovers will probably be delighted by the fast-paced action.
Families can talk about car racing. What's the difference between real-life races and the ones on the show? What are the dangers of racing? Why do accidents occur both in the series and in real-life NASCAR car races? Why is NASCAR so popular? Does watching this show make you more interested in watching the real-life races?
| Topics: | cars and trucks |
| TV rating: | TV-Y7 |
| Network: | Toon Disney |
| Cast: | Kathleen Barr, Paul Dobson, Roger Cross |
| Genre: | Kids' Animation |