It's more likely that author doesn't even understand what they are writing, and is just grasping at factoids to mock up an argument.

Facts don't matter for certain people. That being said, I'm sympathetic to the people who like to parade and show off their custom cars. I used to see that in California when I first moved here. No drag racing, or dangerous stunts, just people driving cars slowly down the street.

I'm sympathetic as well, but cool cars with no drag race is a bit like sex with no climax. When I was a teen, we would gather in a shopping center to show off our cars and talk shit, and then drive out to a rural area to run quarter miles for fun. Good times!