Blue Mass Group

Reality-based commentary on politics.

Obama targets NASCAR

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1.–The car being discussed is a Toyota. Granted, he has to sponsor an existing car and only so many of those are available. But the NASCAR-types still have issues with Toyota’s recent inclusion at this level of the sport. And since the move is aimed at them, he might’ve been better off trying for a Chevy, Dodge or Ford.

2.–The race in which the car would carry his sponsorship would be at Pocono, in Pennsylvannia. Not exactly traditional NASCAR turf. He might as well do a road course race in Sonoma, California. Again, limited options, but still, there are plenty of races in NC, SC, Alabama, Tenn, Virginia, etc.

3.–The car/team isn’t that good. The top 35 teams in the owner standings points automatically make every race. This car is not. So it has to beat a handful of other cars for the remaining few spots. Too dicey. Imagine the PR boost–for McCain–if the Obama car doesn’t even make the race?

4.–Since it would only be a once race sponsorship, it’s crystal clear to the NASCAR fans that it’s a little more than a throwaway. Better he have a booth at every race or work the crowds at a few races than just put his face on a bad car one week in Pennsylvannia.

I fear this will be akin to Kerry hunting, Dukakis in a tank or Bush reading a book. Do any NASCAR fans see this any differently?

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Comments

  1. I have a good friend who is and he was very excited to hear that Obama was sponsoring a car.

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    p>I think the fact that the car in question is a Toyota is a good point and somewhat problematic.

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    p>As far as the location of the race goes, I think PA is a perfect locale it is a swing state that Obama lost in the primary.  The folks who attend a NASCAR event in Pocono are exactly the demographic that he needs to be targeting.

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    p>I don’t think it matters that the car isn’t very good.  Having a car on the track with a giant Obama logo painted on it should have the desired effect.

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    p>I think this really has to be viewed in context, one car one race in PA for the purpose of getting some votes in PA not for the purposes of trying to appeal to NASCAR nation on some broader level.

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    p>All in all probably a net positive for team Obama.

    • But…

      I don’t think it matters that the car isn’t very good.  Having a car on the track with a giant Obama logo painted on it should have the desired effect.

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      p>If the car was ok, it wouldn’t matter. But this car/team is bad; weak enough that there’s a good chance it wouldn’t even make it into the race.

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      p>Think Reebok with Dan and Dave.

  2. Once the nomination is in hand, what do you think Obama will do?  Think there’ll be more blue jeans, more basketball photo ops?  Do you think he’ll wander into event wherein people drive in circles?

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    p>Well, sort of.

  3. It is a Toyota, but clearly Toyota has a pretty strong foothold in the sport already, even if some still don’t like it. PA, as a key swing state, seems like a more logical choice than the many tracks in the deep south.

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    p>But most importantly, this differs from the Dukakis/Kerry situations because this is more aking to explictly asking for NASCAR fans’ votes. Obviously most will vote for McCain regardless of any of this. But like Tip O’Neill always used to say, people need (and like) to be asked for their vote. That includes asking for the votes of those not typically inclined to vote for you.

  4. ….. but that leaves open the possibility of  sponsoring an IRL (Indy Racing Leauge)Team????

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