"That's racing" ("That's…

“That’s racing” (or “That’s racin’”) is an expression that has been used both in horse racing and in auto racing. “That’s racing” means that the sport is what it is, with all of its ups and its downs. “But that’s racing” was cited in horse racing in 1935.

The auto racing expression became popular in the 1960s. “That’s racing, brother, and you surely can’t stop progress” was cited in June 1963. “Yet it was a surprisingly chipper (Richard—ed.) Petty afterwards. He was smiling, said, in effect, ‘That’s racing’” was cited in September 1964. “‘He (Pearson) outran me. That’s racing,’ (Richard—ed.) Petty said” was cited in April 1969.

The newspaper column, featured in the Charlotte (NC) Observer and other newspapers, “That’s Racin’,” was trademarked with a first use from February 10, 1995. The column has a website. thatsracin.com.

25 September 1935, Boston (MA) Herald, “Lynch’s Stretch Drive with Infidox Capture’s Salem’s Feature Fourth” by John Fenton, pg. 30, col. 1:
But that’s racing.
(Horse racing.—ed.)

28 June 1963, Raleigh Register (Buckley, WV), “Peepers’ Corner” by Donald Meadows, pg. 9, col. 2:
Sure, Ford will pay a fortune to build better cars; but who has a right to blame them for that? That’s racing, brother, and you surely can’t stop progress.

26 April 1964, Greensboro (NC) Daily News, “Motorsports” by Tom Einstein, pg. B4, col. 1:
(Eddie—ed.) Pagan, who visited the raceway last week, said, “The first thing I did was go down and look at that spot where I landed outside the track. No, it didn’t bug me a bit because it happened too fast to be scared. Three of us went through that day and they say it’s never happened again. That’s racing I suppose.”

6 September 1964, Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch, “Petty Divides NASCAR Tracks Into Mental, Physical Categories,” pg. F-2, col. 4:
Yet it was a surprisingly chipper (Richard—ed.) Petty afterwards. He was smiling, said, in effect, “That’s racing.”

14 April 1969, Richmond (VA) Times-Dispatch, “Wanted to Outrun Isaac: Pearson Was ‘Disappointed,’” pg. B-7, col. 8:
“He (Pearson) outran me. That’s racing,” Petty said.
(David Pearson and Richard Petty.—ed.)

12 May 1969, Greensboro (NC) Daily News, “Motorsports” by Tom Einstein, pg. B2, col. 1:
But as his chief mechanic, Mario Rossi, said after the race: “I hate to sound trite or silly, but that’s racing.”

OCLC WorldCat record
That’s racing : a dream that happened
Author: Georgina Coleridge, Lady
Publisher: London : Heinemann, 1978.
Edition/Format: Print book : Biography : English
Subjects
Horse racing—England.
Coleridge, Georgina,—Lady,—1916-

OCLC WorldCat record
That’s racing
Author: Dennis Miller; Graham McNeice; Gary Deans
Publisher: South Yarra, Vic. : Visual Entertainment Group [distributor], 1992.
Edition/Format: Video : Videocassette Visual material : English
Subjects
Race horses—Australia—History.

OCLC WorldCat record
That’s racing
Author: Peter O’Sullevan; Sean Magee
Publisher: Edinburgh : Mainstream, 1996, ©1992.
Edition/Format: Print book : English
Summary:
Published in aid of the International League for the Protection of Horses, this is a collection of original writing from 40 of the top writers and participants in the sport of horse racing, in which they reveal unforgettable moments of their involvement with the sport.

6 February 1998, Aberdeen (SD) American News, pg. 4D, right masthead:
that’s racin’ (phrase): Expresses frustration or emotion.
1. When a small part costing just a few dollars fails and stops a $150,000 race car, that’s racin’.
2. When you race a competitor for 500 miles and lose to him by just a few feet, that’s racin’.
3. When a hot dog rapper blows out of the stands, gets caught across the air vent on the front of your car and causes your engine to overheat, that’s racin.
www.thatsracin.com

Google Books
That’s Racin’ Season in Review
By the Charlotte Observer
Sports Publishing, LLC, Nov 5, 2000

OCLC WorldCat record
That’s racin’ : Junior, Richard & Dale.
Publisher: Charlotte, N.C. : That’s Racin’, [2010]
Edition/Format: Print book : Biography : English : Hall of Fame collector’s ed
Subjects
NASCAR (Association)
Stock car racing—United States.
Petty, Richard,—1937-

YouTube
That’s Racing
Julia Landauer
Published on Apr 7, 2014
Racing has the lowest lows and the highest highs. It’s addicting and we racers can never get enough #JLR #highesthighs #lowestlows #racing #legends #win #lose

Roadracingworld.com
May 31, 2015
MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Race Results From Road America
by David Swarts
(...)
The old adage “that’s racing” comes to mind, but it’s cold comfort for a team that leaves Wisconsin with zero points towards the 2015 MotoAmerica Superstock 1000 Championship. Still, Yamalube/Westby Racing is a determined team.

(Trademark)
Word Mark THAT’S RACIN’
Goods and Services IC 016. US 002 005 022 023 029 037 038 050. G & S: syndicated newspaper column featuring news and information relating to automobile racing;. FIRST USE: 19950210. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19950210
IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Computer services, namely, providing news and information in the field of automobile racing via a global communication network. FIRST USE: 19970417. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19970417
Mark Drawing Code (1) TYPED DRAWING
Serial Number 75456821
Filing Date March 26, 1998
Current Basis 1A
Original Filing Basis 1A
Published for Opposition December 21, 1999
Registration Number 2327836
Registration Date March 14, 2000
Owner (REGISTRANT) Knight Publishing Company, Inc. CORPORATION DELAWARE P.O. Box 32188 Charlotte NORTH CAROLINA 252322188
(LAST LISTED OWNER) MCCLATCHY U.S.A., INC. CORPORATION DELAWARE 2100 Q STREET SACRAMENTO CALIFORNIA 95816
Assignment Recorded ASSIGNMENT RECORDED
Attorney of Record Tsan Abrahamson
Disclaimer NO CLAIM IS MADE TO THE EXCLUSIVE RIGHT TO USE “RACING” APART FROM THE MARK AS SHOWN
Type of Mark TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Affidavit Text SECT 15. SECT 8 (6-YR). SECTION 8(10-YR) 20100209.
Renewal 1ST RENEWAL 20100209
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE

“That’s racing” (“That’s racin’”)