Posted on 10/28/2004 12:43:38 PM PDT by Cableguy
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!
Mark Martin ,thats my driver.
Hmmm...I always suspected he didn't like Bush...
Hey this story never mentions Dale Jarrett who is a big Bush guy as well.
Who is the non-Bush endorsing NASCAR driver? Barry Seltzer?
My guess is this group as well as their fan base are the REAL Heart and Soul of America!
Until I read this, I used to root for Gordon. I have to assume he's so commercially-oriented that he's worried that endorsing W could hurt him with part of "the Pepsi Generation."
I think if Jeff Gordon were a Republican, he would be the Log Cabin variety.
Same here.
Greatest driver to never win a championship.
I emailed #24's fan club a week or so when this first came out and got the boiler plate response; "Thanks for bringing this to our attention". He was my guy until then, now I only back #8 first and then anybody but Jeff Gordon.
These are REAL people, the heart and soul of America. Hollywood sucks.
Richard Petty, has famously said: "You'd be hard-pressed" to find a Democrat in the garage these days.
Yeah, I think my post was too subtle...
I was on that bandwagon for 8 years now. I always root for engine trouble.
You have to remember that felon Rick Hendrick was pardoned by Clinton in the final hours and is a Dem contributor because of it. Don't think there is any ideology here, just tit for tat.
Jeff Gordon is the only one in the chase for the Nextel Cup that is not listed. I find it interesting that his teammate Jimmie Johnson is on the list despite team owner Rick Hendrick being a Kerry supporter.
I saw him on Track Live the other week and he didn't even know who Larry the Cable Guy was!
I think the best clue was when his wife sued him for divorce based on "marital misconduct" rather than adultery. I think if it had been another woman the charge would have read "adultery".
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