Depends. Kids playing wiffleball in their backyard? Not really. Running your 15 second Civic down the track on TnT night? No.

Going rounds at a high dollar bracket race requires a certain skill set, physical and mental skills that are practiced and acquired over time. Skills that some people will never gain, regardless how much they try.

Getting a Pro Stocker, Alcohol or fuel funny car, or a fast drag radial car down the track also requires certain skills and abilities that not everyone has or can achieve.

Is Stevie Fast an athlete? Erica Enders? John Force?

I guess it depends on how you look at it.

athlete noun
a person trained or gifted in exercises or contests involving physical agility, stamina, or strength; a participant in a sport, exercise, or game requiring physical skill.