Why Do People Like Car Racing?

All the excitement over yesterday's Daytona 500 race got me wondering about car racing. Why are people such avid fans?

When I see a race on TV I get anxious.  What if somebody crashes?  I'm afraid someone will get hurt!  The sound of those loud, screaming engines also turns me off.  And I get dizzy watching all the cars go around and around.  How can fans handle this for the length of a race, which I understand can be almost 4 hours?!  I just don't understand so I'm asking you racing fans to fill me in.  What am I missing?  What do you love so much about car races?

And finally, If you were going to take someone to a New Jersey track for a first-time introduction to racing, where would you go?