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That's George W. Bush, not Kurt Busch [though
Kurt's hoping they'll say the same about him after the final 4
races this season].
A little over a week ago, the guys at
NASCAR.com ran a front page article detailing Presidential
endorsements from NASCAR drivers, team owners, TV commentators,
and members of the sport's sanctioning body. The article
detailed the near unanimity of their endorsements going to
President Bush. It seems to further prove over time what
NASCAR's 'King', Richard Petty, has famously said: "You'd be
hard-pressed" to find a Democrat in the garage these days.
When pressed for further details of their
endorsements, most mention President Bush's record on defending
and protecting the American homeland, especially since the
country (and world) had to be viewed differently since 9/11.
Said perennial fan favorite and 1988 champion Bill Elliott: "The
President has done a good job given the circumstances of what
he’s been through, and in my mind his report card’s been
excellent.” Added 2-time champion Terry Labonte: "He's just a
great American. In times like this, I'm glad we've got someone
like him in office." And as team owner Chip Ganassi plainly
stated: “I want to live in a country where I know the President
is watching out for the homeland and I want a president who is
devoted to protecting our country first and foremost.” The
protectors of our homeland have also identified a special bond
with the NASCAR nation, given that the Army, Navy, Air Force,
Marines, and National Guard are all sponsoring cars/trucks in
one of NASCAR's top 3 racing series'.
Others additionally may have more intimate
reasons to offer their support and endorsement to President
Bush. Dale Earnhardt Jr., for instance, has been very
appreciative of the assistance the Earnhardt family received
from Jeb Bush, the governor of Florida, in maintaining the
Earnhardt family's privacy when our 'beloved' media outlets were
attempting to skirt Florida law in order to acquire and publish
the autopsy photos of Dale Earnhardt Sr. Earnhardt Sr. was in
killed in a wreck at Daytona International Speedway in February
2001.
Many NASCAR personalities have given their
time and efforts to show their support. Of his appearance in
Daytona to support President Bush, 1989 champion Rusty Wallace
beamed: "I was real excited to do it, I look at it as common
sense. The President came in with all the right things on his
mind. He's a tough guy. I believe him. It's pulling for what you
know is right and using some common sense about it. I know what
I'm pulling for is the right thing to pull for." Bill Elliott
adds "It’s about getting the word out to vote. The NASCAR
market is a good market." And who could be more succinct than
2002 champion Tony Stewart: "Bush is my guy, and that's the end
of it." Hopefully the reporter did not ask a Tony a follow-up
question!
Other NASCAR heroes currently making live
appearances with and for President Bush include 3-time
champion/racing legend/FOX commentator Darrell Waltrip [Bush
quipped that there is less road-rage in NASCAR now that Waltrip
has retired], fellow FOX commentator and championship crew chief
Jeff Hammond, championship team owner Jack Roush, 1973 champion
and NBC commentator Benny Parsons, legendary team owner Glen
Wood (of the Wood Brothers), and title contending driver Mark
Martin.
Nine of the 10 drivers in the 2004 Chase for
the Championship have endorsed President Bush, including Kurt
Busch, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Elliott Sadler, Mark Martin, Tony
Stewart, 2003 champion Matt Kenseth, Ryan Newman, Jimmie Johnson
and Jeremy Mayfield. Other top drivers also on board the Bush
re-election bid include: Michael Waltrip, Geoffrey Bodine,
Brendan Gaughan, Jeff Green, Kevin Harvick, Kasey Kahne, 2000
champion Bobby Labonte, Jamie McMurray, Joe Nemechek, Kyle
Petty, Ken Schrader, and Brian Vickers. Team owners who have
thrown their support to Bush include Teresa Earnhardt, Richard
Childress, Robert Yates, and J.D. and [Washington Redskins
coach] Joe Gibbs.
In the early stages of this campaign season,
the growing and enduring popularity of NASCAR was identified by
Washington political forces, and its fans were targeted for
votes. The moniker "NASCAR Dads" was coined as the hysteria
began. We have seen several candidates attend races, parties
set up booths outside the track, and heard politicians declare
themselves life-long fans. Some candidates have even gone so
far as to use campaign money to sponsor cars/trucks for races.
Overall, the exposure and additional team funding this has
brought to the sport can only be seen as a positive thing. And
on Tuesday, the NASCAR nation gets its chance to speak! |
