The Most Important Race of All

If you asked a pollster, they'd probably tell you I'm the last person they'd expect to speak out for a Democratic presidential candidate a few days before the election. I live in a rural part of a conservative state. I'm an avid hunter and fisher. I've voted for many Republicans over many decades. And let's face it -- NASCAR car drivers and Democrats don't usually mix.

But then again, no one expected my state of North Carolina to be a toss-up a few days before the election, either. And yet here we are. So what's going on?

Well, I'm a small businessman and a farmer, and in this economy it's getting harder everyday to get ahead. I know too many hard working folks around here who are worried about keeping their homes, losing their jobs, or struggling to send their children to school.

I respect John McCain and those who support him. But I'm focused on my children, Robert and Meredith. I'm worried about their future. And after the last 8 years, I just don't think we can't afford more of the same.

Barack Obama understands what we're going through and he has a real plan to turn things around. He shares our values -- including strong protection for second amendment rights. And he has the kind of steady hand that we need on the wheel in times like these. I believe that's why North Carolina is finally ready to vote for change -- and it's why I'm ready to do whatever I can to help.

So what can we do? Well, I'm certainly no expert when it comes to politics. But I do know a thing or two about winning close races. Maybe it can help here.

Back in 1960, I had a problem. Corporate sponsors were shelling out big bucks on my opponents' cars -- me and my old Chevy just couldn't keep up. But then one day I discovered "drafting". It turns out that when two cars line up together, they both go faster than they ever could alone. And that's how I won my first Daytona 500.

Now in 2008, America has a problem. Corporate lobbyists are shelling out the big bucks to rig the rules in Washington. Small businessmen like me and regular Americans everywhere are finding it harder and harder to keep up. But this campaign has already shown that what works in racing also works in life: when we line up and move forward together, we can go farther and faster than we ever could alone. And that's exactly how you and I can help win this race.

In these final few days, I'm going to speak out however I can about why I support Barack Obama. And wherever you are, I hope you'll do the same. Maybe you can spend a few hours talking to your friends or neighbors. If you're not in one of the toss-up states, then consider driving over to North Carolina or another state where the election is close. We could sure use the help.

I've been in a lot of races in my life. But I do believe this may be the most important one yet. Because if we put the pedal to the mettle for this final turn, when that checkered flag waves on November 4th we'll win something far greater than any trophy -- we'll win the change our beloved country needs, and the future all of our children deserve.

Junior Johnson is a Hall of Fame NASCAR driver and team owner, named as one of NASCAR's 50 best drivers of all time. He currently resides with his wife and two children in Yadkin County, NC.

This post originally appeared at BlueNC.com.

Comments

[lieslgee]

Wasn't expecting that. Mr. Johnson was at the Obama rally today, too.

Amazing.

[SShaw490]

Wow, what a great post. I particularly love the reference to drafting. As an old motocross racer, I love the idea of a guy like Junior Johnson endorsing Barack - Johnson is a "get 'er done" guy, a man who knows how to tell when a person knows what he's doing.

I remember an old story about a driver - I think it may have been Cale Yarborough - looking in his rear view mirror and saying Junior Johnson was so close behind him drafting that Yarborough could see the skin on Johnson's face moving in the wind, and it scared the heck out of him. That's what racing is - it's all on the line, you race to win and there's no excuses. Barack is going to be faced with a get 'er done agenda, no excuses, no second chances. If Junior Johnson thinks he's up to the challenge, that's good enough for me.

[averygard]

I am so encouraged by this and by other folks like Mr. Johnson, and people I've met, too, who have always voted Republican but have the guts and the foresight to know why it is just not a good idea now. One of the many ironies about this whole process is that I have more respect now for the Republicans with that kind of guts, than I ever had before, and more of a feeling of 'we're all in this together.' Obama had it right all along!

[gibraltar]

Junior Johnson is a real american hero even before this. Make no mistake Junior has felt in debt to the Republican party for some time I believe it was Reagan that pardoned him for a bootlegging conviction in the 50s. But he is one of the real common sense innovators of the early years of Nascar first as a driver then for many years as an owner
. He has always been one of my heros but man does his light shine bright in my heart now!

[ProgressiveInAZ]

A North Carolina NASCAR driver for Obama? Must be because he's black! ;-) LOL!
Thank you Mr. Johnson!
I am once again feeling good about being an American!

[mightyhead]

Like O says, it's not the Republicans that are the problem - it's the incompetent thugs that have kidnapped the party.

Mr. Johnson, you help to illustrate that point brilliantly by speaking up for our country. Common sense and common decency are alive and well, but they don't live at the extremes of either party.

And thanks for throwing in the second amendment plug - my gun buddies are convinced that O want's their squirrel guns...

[guajiro]

Thanks Mr. Johnson for a well put commentary. I've watched NASCAR since 1969 or so and I'm a Democrat. Truth be told, time was when 30 year careers with a good retirement package was starting to become the norm for average, middle class Americans with the rest of us recently arrived immigrants working our way into the positions Americans before us got into. No longer. It is expected that today's young people will have a standard of living LOWER than their parents. Hopefully your coming out for Obama will give courage to those in conservative circles to vote Democrat.

[Nommo]

You guys ought to grab up Louis Hamilton while you're at it...

[incredulity]

Hey Sarah-- Junior Johnson AND Ralph Stanley. How's that for "real America?"

[editorjuno]

Doctor Stanley is a national treasure and as American as it ever gets -- and he was a rather early Obama endorser! When you've lost the Clinch Mountains of Virginia, you've lost it all....

[proudliberal4truth]

You know, this took real GUTS for Junior Johnson to come out publicly for Obama. I'm not surprised (although I'm not particularly a NASCAR fan) at his fortitude, just a little surprised by his choice. Mr. Johnson, we absolutely need more people like you to show some b***s and speak up for what we KNOW is right for our country. Thank you for really putting "country first".

[Martha601]

Great analogy! Your post is uplifting and gives me hope that maybe there are more people that feel the way you do than those who don't. That's how we can win tomorrow. WE, all of us, together trying our best to make this change.

[quiviran]

This needs to be on TV! It's about transcending stereotypes and thinking for yourself.

Thank you Mr Johnson. Your point is well and clearly stated.

In the spirit of demolishing stereotypes, I would like to say that Democrats like NASCAR too.

[breezyholler]

Junior...you do a really good job driving home the message...I'm with you and I won't let up til we cross the finish line...Thank you

[jahzilla]

Mr. Johnson . . .
Yours is the bigger picture clarity (this former Republican) admires.
Admittedly, I was generationally influenced in "returning to the well" of what turns out to be a massive misrepresentation of what "conservatism" really stands for . . . and you are correct in suggesting that seldom does it protect our children's futures. My opinion is that it has systematically torn the middle-class to shreds . . . and without exception, history's greatest "empires" have all failed through such an approach.

Now, on to a sensitive subject.
Within our lifetimes, NASCAR will fade unless people like yourself push for a responsible series of changes. The metaphor of "Hauling ass in a circle, while burning what fuel we have left", whether accurate or not, will soon place massive pressure on the superfluous burning of oil. First stop . . . NASCAR/INDY, IMSA, etc.

A little marketing mixed with a friendly embrace in admitting and then adopting "the need for Green" within your sport, could allow the public to forestall NASCAR's ultimate demise, in favor of "profitable brand resurrection ". NASCAR could promote stateside "green" auto-engineering scholarships, "Alternative" fuels (sanctioned) events (eventually embracing full-electric and Hydrogen-cell platforms), reduction in speed limits and the shortening of laps for existing venues and historical races. The public relations values alone suggests you will see increasing support from people who will soon be paying $4+ at the pump, again.

Think about it Mr. Johnson . . . and, thank you for your

[LaFlow]

Thanks Junior. And although you're statement that "NASCAR car drivers and Democrats don't usually mix," is probably correct I proudly qualify as the "usually" in that sentence.

I have a PhD from MIT and am a proud latte-sipping liberal. I am also, however, an unabashed NASCAR fan.