Obama not doing NASCAR sponsorship

JOLIET, Ill. — NASCAR's BAM Racing team has presented Barack Obama's presidential campaign with a potential sponsorship deal in the Sprint Cup series later this year, but it doesn't look like an Obama car will be burning rubber on the track anytime soon.

BAM team spokesman Rhett Vandiver told The Associated Press on Friday that the team made a sponsorship proposal to the Democratic presidential hopeful's campaign, and has made similar proposals to the campaign of Republican John McCain and at least one third-party candidate.

Late Friday, the Obama campaign said there would be no sponsorship.

"The Obama campaign will not be sponsoring a car in the Sprint Cup series, though we will continue to look for ways to reach out to voters and convey Senator Obama's message of change." said Bill Burton, an Obama campaign spokesman

Sports Illustrated first reported the proposal on its Web site, saying Obama's campaign is in talks with BAM, a part-time operation that hasn't raced in recent weeks, to sponsor its No. 49 car in the Aug. 3 race at Pocono.

"The Obama campaign will not be sponsoring a car in the Sprint Cup series, though we will continue to look for ways to reach out to voters and convey Senator Obama's message of change." Bill Burton, Obama Campaign Spokesman

It would have been a fairly bold move within a sport whose competitors spend all year turning left on the track but tend to lean to the right politically.

BAM's choice of drivers and car brands might have been a little too sticky politically for the Obama camp.

The car, a Toyota _ the only foreign automaker racing in NASCAR _ would be driven by veteran Ken Schrader.

According to the Federal Election Commission's Web site, Schrader gave $1,000 to the campaign of North Carolina Republican congressman Robin Hayes in June 2004, and a total of $2,500 in 2003 and 2004 to the failed Virginia congressional campaign of Republican Kevin Triplett, a former NASCAR official.

Also according to the FEC, Mrs. Ann Schrader of Concord, N.C. and Ken Schrader Racing donated a total of $2,000 to President Bush's campaign in May 2004 and $900 to the North Carolina Republican Executive Committee in August 2004.

NASCAR has been playing an increasing role in politics, as so-called "NASCAR dads" were considered a key constituency in recent elections.

A Cup series car carried a George W. Bush logo in 2004 but wasn't officially associated with the campaign. And Democratic presidential hopeful Bob Graham sponsored a truck in the Craftsman Truck Series in 2003.

Comments

[walk0nwalls]

The number of times I've said "bleh" in conjunction with Obama has skyrocketed ever since he got the nomination. .

[mike53]

Thank God there is not a big "ballerena" vote out there. Would hate to see BO in a tutu.

[NASCARLiberal]

Compared to the number and diversity of fans in NASCAR, ballet only has a drizzle of fans.

[Trollstakeyourmeds]

I'm thinking he would look quite natural in a tutu.

[riley85]

That is too funny. What Obama won't do for a vote!

[scurryscurryandyshere]

If Obama can put a pit crew together as good as he put his campaign team together, watch out NASCAR.

[LINY516]

The way he's been campaigning, NASCAR fans better be ready for the car to crash. What a waste of money. I'm glad I no longer give him any of my hard earned money.

[JiminNC]

Right, I am sure you did. What changed your alleged mind?

[NASCARLiberal]

Which really gives me another idea ... each year they do hold a "pit crew competition" to award the best, fastest, most accurate pit crew. It would be fun if there were a competition to get to be on this pit crew!! And get free TV time for that too!

[eden4barack08]

I'm lovin' your passion NASCARLiberal!

Don't know much about it myself, but appreciate your inputs.

[scurryscurryandyshere]

Obama already did a pit crew competition. It was called the 2008 Democratic Primary.

In all seriousness, I think Obama might be serious about this thing, as a way to show off his organizing skills.

I sense a John Edwards connection here. They're working on something. It doesn't make sense for Obama to want to just slap his name on a car that's bound to finish mediocre, (and besides, he should've learned something from Hillary's Kentucky Derby pick).

John Edwards and his campaign manager (whathisname? Catfish-something?) definitely have some racing connections in Charlotte. They're putting together a dream team that'll amaze us with how an unknown driver could have come from nowhere and finished so strongly.

[amst]

I think it's a great idea. For goodness sakes, they guy is running for President. He's going to areas that are not usually in the "bank" for Dems, let alone a Black man. It may or may not get him votes. Is it political, Im sure it is. He wants to win the election. Still, kudos to him. If he only went to ,and /or appeared to be just going twoard the Black population, hed be accused of prejudice. Let him spread his wings. He's doing what he said he would....reaching out.

I've read that McCain sent his wife to Tennesee for another racecar event (I'm not into racing so don't know which one) and that several Presidents have sponsored NASCAR car. Why shouldn't Obama.
I can't help but think, IF this becomes an issue that makes some so angry that perhaps there's more than just politics to their thinking.

[BethinIllinois]

hello -- if you had actually READ the story you would have seen that this is a "first time in history" event. That means no other presidential candidates have done it.

There's a reason for that. Putting your name on a damn race care kind of cheapens the whole experience, wouldn't you say? Obama is not running to be the best can of peas at the A&P, he's running to be president.

Unfortuantely, he doesn't get that. Because he's an idiot.

[pupbayer]

I find this inappropriate also. Of course, I find a lot of what he's doing in this campaign to be inappropriate.

[NASCARLiberal]

Actually, the story is wrong. As I noted on an earlier post ... SEN. BOB GRAHAM, Democrat, Florida ... placed his campaign logo on the NASCAR vehicle of driver Jon Wood of the Craftsman Truck Series in 2003-04. It is the first time a candidate has placed their logo on a vehicle in the TOP NASCAR series ... there are THREE series (Sprint Cup, Nationwide, Crafstman.) BOB GRAHAM is one of the most respected politicians in the country, being on a NASCAR vehicle only made him more a "man of the people" ... always a good thing!

The sport reaches MILLIONS of people WORLDWIDE and has MILLIONS of voting fans of all parties!! This is a GREAT MOVE!!

[NASCARLiberal]

Good post ... but no President has ever had their campaign logo on a NASCAR. A Democratic candidate in 2003-04 DID have his campaign logo on a NASCAR Craftsman truck series vehicle for most of the season. Sen Bob Graham, (D-FL) holds that distinction.

I think it is great that Barack Obama will be the first WINNING candidate to be on a NASCAR. That should seal the NASCAR vote for Democrats FOREVER!!!!

DONE DEAL!!!

[mike53]

Hey..no need to fake the nascar thing. Once BO bowled 37 I was convinced. Hes a "regular" guy.

[eden4barack08]

He's not gonna be the driver. Duh.

[mike53]

Its still pandering. Just like Kerry hunting.

[amst]

Of course he won't be the driver, but I think the point is, he's going into fields that are "white" like bowling. He's not pretending it's unsual but he's trying to reach out.

[Betsy]

"What a great picture!" I'm not into NASCAR, but it's a brilliant strategic move on Team Obama's part.

[NASCARLiberal]

Thanks, Betsy, we think so!!

[crusty]

Why not just buy a pack of coonhounds and a pickup with a gun rack?

[NASCARLiberal]

Ahhhhh, another ignorant "Howard Dean-like" comment! Now, log off Mommy's computer and go to bed like a good little fetcher!

[TXOBAMAGIRL73]

Hillary already did that!!!

[eden4barack08]

This team wants to "leave no stone unturned". Gotta love it!

[Drjimmy72296]

What's next? A Confederate flag tattooed on his forehead?

[joeyp404]

I don't know if that would fly on Access Hollywood.

[NASCARLiberal]

And, we know YOUR real handle is boooshie_lover!! I'll bet the confed rag is tattooed on your butt! Obviously this thread has finally fallen into the evil paws of the boooshie_bots.

ALOHA!!!!! Dabble on in your drool!

[genia]

I'm a long time Nascar fan. An Earnhardt fan.......yeah!!
If Barack is going to sponsor it needs to be a top team. Very Important.
The 49 car is driven by Ken Shrader...a much loved driver who is now passed his prime and cannot get a ride with a top 10 team. His car crashes or breaks down (or both) almost every week....then...there are the weeks when he doesn't make it into the race on qualifying time...very embarrassing.
There would be a die cast car of the event...and probably one time event tee shirts....very cool.
My view is...if he cannot get a better team, he should not do it.

The fans won't boo.....some will but the cheers will drown that out. Most fans are good folks, they wouldn't do that.

[eden4barack08]

Thanks for the 411.

[NASCARLiberal]

Genia, I agree! This car should be driven by a TOP driver. I luv Ken Sharder, and respect him. But Obama represents YOUTH and VIGOR ... I wonder if they could get JOEY LOGANO!!!! That would be so ULTIMATE ... the youngest racer in NASCAR ... and so very talented. Of course he is signed with Joe Gibbs and I do think Gibbs is a bushite.

I agree they should get onboard with a die-cast of this car. Maybe talk to Dan at QVC about that. And while it would be best if ACTION would produce it. For sure the collectible should be made in America ... most die-casts are.

It is good to see someone comment on what good folks NASCAR fans are ... I have been to races all over the country and have never found better people anywhere in the world. I believe that the MAJORITY of NASCAR fans will LOVE, probably already do, Barack Obama!! It is really noteworthy that NASCAR fans and NASCAR community are in fact so generous and open to new ideas, new adventures and progress!

[tanmany2k]

Nascar Liberal, I appreciate your comments on this subject. I am a Nascar fan and I donated to BO's campaign and I was believeing that "Yes We Can". There are many Democrats that love Nascar.

Today, on numerous Nascar blogs, they have pointed out these negative comments and that upsets Nascar fans. They have been linking to this article for people to read these comments. It doesn't make me or other Nascar democrats happy being depicted as rednecks, low iq hillbillies from 'Appalachia'.

BO needs the people that Hillary was winning over...the media used the term Appalachia, blue collar types. BO actually further demeaned them by the bitter comment.

Gillette Evernham has only donated to Democratic candidates. Why not look into working out something with him. The networks love to do segments for the prerace show. Why don't they have BO go on the track for a lap with Kasey Kahne or Jeremy Mayfield? Patrick Carpintier is Canadian and he is will liked also. George Gillette is a very gifted speaker. Then BO could wave the green flag, give the start your engine command, or have a picture made with the drivers, etc. People just want to know that he is like one of them.

People are getting tired of reading 'elitist' magazines trashing the fans. The Nation did it again today.

[kinnycut]

Now, you can't call this pandering unless the car is black with white interior.

[NoahVail]

Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha. Yeah, its funny. I cannot deny it.

[eXcommunicate]

Bad move, guys. Imagine if the car crashes, goes up in flames, or causes a pile up. No amount of "spin" would fix that little blunder.

[NoahVail]

It might be like betting on the mare, and then having her break both legs, huh?

[crusty]

Just what I was about to post.... Be careful how you you pander!

[eXcommunicate]

Waste of money.

[eden4barack08]

"Better to have tried and lost, than to have tried at all".

[eden4barack08]

oops "Better to have tried and lost than never to have tried at all"

[Cooday]

David Letterman also loves auto racing. If Barack ever gos on David Letterman maybe both of you can discuss Auto Racing? Let him know! After all there is more to life then Politics! My Big Sis also loves NASCAR too but will only drive 50 miles per hour on the highway! Its safer that way she says.

My Most Favorite Driver is Jacques Villeneuve who just missed the Triple Crown of auto racing.

Jacques is also a great singer and I have him right next to John Mellencamp on my web site! Yes Jaques is also a great artist like John Mellencamp. Jacques is also one of the influences for my own music.

Anther fan afilmby combined a great video with highlights of Jacque's racing career and with "Accepterais Tu"

Jacques Villeneuve - "Accepterais Tu" translation is Soulmates - Youtube Music Video.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b4WiJeG_PBo&feature=related

[crusty]

WHAT A FASCINATING LIFE YOU LEAD!!!!

[granamica]

Heh!!

[NASCARLiberal]

Most NASCAR drivers drive slowly on the highway too. So, tell Big Sis she drives just like Dale Jr and Jeff Gordon. They like a slower pace in real life.

Well, Helio Castoneves is a great dancer AND a great Indy driver. He is, we think, coming over to NASCAR next year. He will quickly see it is a much tougher sport than Indy!!

[vonny]

Ohhh paleeeze....Obama is so full of himself. Maybe he'll rent the Blimp and put his name on that.

[eden4barack08]

You men like the Good Year Blimp? It's called ADVERTISING. Why would you have a problem with that?

[eden4barack08]

I meant " mean" not 'men'

[NASCARLiberal]

Uh-duh ... GOODYEAR doesn't rent out it's space ... it hovers over NASCAR races so it gets THEIR name "out there" ... just like those 43 sets of 4 running around the track and all those sets of Goodyears piled on the other side of the pit wall. Goodyear doesn't rent out space when it has a good thing going.

In fact, for those who doubt, the Obama campaign is just taking and using a good lesson taught by Goodyear ... getting your name on this event is SOLID GOLD!!!!! Even when Tony Stewart disses the set that failed him, they still get their product on the air and into the minds of millions of voters. And everyone knows Tony is just smokin'.

[mike53]

Would be better if he put his "presidential seal" on it.