NASCAR Enters the Pres Fight

Here's another reason I enjoy NASCAR (hat tip Kerry Spot):

Bush-Cheney '04 is announcing a NASCAR tour that will cover 14 events in four states (Michigan, Ohio, West Virginia and Pennsylvania) on October 19 and 20. The tour features seven of NASCAR's best drivers and most well-known figures: Darrell Waltrip, Mark Martin, Bill Elliott, Jack Roush, Benny Parsons, Jeff Hammond and Eddie Wood. NASCAR fans represent a pivotal voting block in this election, and these NASCAR celebrities' enthusiastic support for President Bush will have a real impact in driving voters to the polls. See below for a schedule of these historic events.

President Bush's Support Within The NASCAR Community Runs Deep

Nine Of The Nextel Cup Series Top 10 Drivers Have Endorsed The President. Drivers include: Kurt Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott Sadler, Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson and Jeremy Mayfield (my comment - what, no Jeff Gordon!).

NASCAR President Mike Helton Has Endorsed The President.

The Most Successful Owners Have Endorsed The President. They include Jack Roush, Teresa Earnhardt, Richard Childress, Robert Yates, and J.D. and Joe Gibbs.

Countless NASCAR Heroes Have Endorsed The President. They include: Geoffrey Bodine, Brendan Gaughan, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Joe Nemechek, Kyle Petty, Ken Schrader, Brian Vickers, Rusty Wallace and Michael Waltrip.

Don't discount the effect these endorsements could have on the campaign. NASCAR is the biggest spectator sport in the country, with the top division (NEXTEL CUP) routinely drawing sold-out crowds in excess of 100,000.

The NEXTEL Cup also races in a number of swing states, including two races each in Michigan, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire, 3 races in Florida, and 3 races in California (which is where I live and will undoubtedly go to Kerry). They also run in Illinois, New York, and a bunch of Red states.

NASCAR fans are some of the most loyal sports fans in the country. They love their drivers and teams, and buy the products endorsed by those teams. That's why a company like UPS or Lowes have to spend $15-$18 million per year to put their name on a car. Just go to any mall and start counting the NASCAR logo merchandise on sale or being worn by the shoppers (I'm wearing a Dale Earnhardt Jr. T-shirt as I write this).

I think this is a great move for Bush and for NASCAR, and it could make a difference, especially in Michigan where Jack Rousch, one of the most successful car owners in NASCAR, is a very well known businessman.