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".
I see Rainbow Gordon supports gay marriage.
A pox on his car. I really thought he was a conservative kind of guy. I am over him.
Thanks for this post. I am a big NASCAR and Jr. and Tony Stewart fan.
Bottom line, NASCAR is a class act, period. These guys are guided by common sense, patriotism, and family. That, I think has been part of it's appeal for me.
I was never so proud to be a NASCAR as I was watching Daytona at the beginning of the season and watching the respectful, warm reception that the president got. Just awesome.
What other sport would fine and dock points to a guy for saying sh!t?? Not that I agreed with that, but they are committed to keeping the sport clean and respectable for for everyone.
Just can't say enough good things about these guys.
I don't care for country music or follow NASCAR but I sure do like country singers and NASCAR drivers!
In my mind, just one more reason to not like Gordon.
Glad to see so many Mark Martin Freep fans.
As was discussed last week, don't assume because someone doesn't show up on the list they aren't a Bush supporter. Their PR people have probably advised some drivers to keep out of politics.
Number 24 just lost another fan. I still don't like Earnhardt, but maybe Jimmie Johnson or Kurt Busch.
I hate to say this but back in 2000 Mark Martin was a big Gore supporter.. guess he changed his mind?
As a matter of fact, Rick Hendrick was pardoned by Bill Clinton about two weeks after Hendrick's buddy (Bank of America CEO and chairman Hugh McColl) gave $600,000 to the Clinton Library Fund. It was a mere coincidence, I'm sure.
I don't know if I'd want to be that 1 out of 10 doing 200+ mph.
Yep. I remember he was the only one who offered Gore a behind the scenes tour in the garage area. I detested him for that. That's why I'm very surprised he's backing W. and Pretty Boy seems silent. I think Mark Martin's contention was that someone had to be gracious to gore.
If someone happens to bump Gordon into a wall, does that make it a "hate crime"?
Another serendipitous side effect of Viagra?
"As was discussed last week, don't assume because someone doesn't show up on the list they aren't a Bush supporter. Their PR people have probably advised some drivers to keep out of politics."
I read an article last week indicating Gordon is a Republican, but with him being such a big name, his sponsors likely don't want him alienating their customers who vote the other way... One can argue whether or not putting business ahead of politics is the correct position to take (I'd add that many of us wish movie stars who disagree with us would keep their mouths shut, grin) -- but I highly doubt Gordon is voting for anyone other than Bush.
That said, what a great list of supporters! Small wonder I'm a NASCAR fan :). I've never seen the Burtons' names mentioned, are they Bush supporters? Glad to know Jarrett is a Bush guy too.
i think we need a phone number to 24's office/garage/PR office...to set this straight.......
I do remember gordon going to dc with edwards for something some time back.
Matt Kenseth!! Woo hoo!
back after 911 they did an interview with Dale Jarrett before one of the races and he said "I am proud to be an American and a Republican and i fully support our President" He is one driver that loves for people to know he's a Republican and proud of it!
I cheer for Mark Martin because we share a birthday with President Nixon. Although, Mr. Nixon wasn't born a few years before Mark and I. Now, I'll have to cheer louder for Mark!
Too bad Mark drives a Ford and sells Viagra, but everybody has to make a living.
Jarrett's a great guy. He's my teenager's favorite driver -- I root for his teammate, Sadler :). Glad to hear he said that!
Don't think so. Them rubber marbles will do funny things to a stock car.
After Davey Allison died I relly didnt have no one to pull for . The reason I started pulling for Mark Martin was he never complained and is one of the fairest drivers out there.
Can't imagine the Burtons not being Bush guys.
Whew! Glad to hear that! I am a big 88 fan!
I would sure think the Burtons are Bush guys from what I know of them, one reason I was surprised not to see their names listed. Maybe they were just overlooked, like Jarrett has been in some articles.
Technically, Jeff Gordon owns Jimmie Johnson's ride. So Gordon must not have a major problem with endorsements per se.
Mark Martin is my favorite also..
True. Notice, most of the attention is going to the leaders (top 10 and a few others).
Like Richard Petty said, you would be hard-pressed to find someone who is NOT a Republican.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.