NASCAR Takes PR Hit

[Purveyor]

HAMPTON, Ga. What was supposed to be a moment for NASCAR to shine in the spotlight was disintegrating on Friday to a public relations black eye as criticism mounted over the four Sprint Cup Series drivers who turned down an invitation to the White House next week.

Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards and Greg Biffle all cited scheduling conflicts for not being able to attend next Wednesday's meeting with President Obama recognizing last season's Cup champion and Chase contenders.

--CLIP
On his Twitter account, five-time series champion Jimmie Johnson said, "IMO (In my opinion) ... regardless of political views, when POTUS (President of the U.S.) sends an invite and wants to honor you at the White House, you accept."

Neither Harvick nor Stewart would specifically cite the conflict preventing their attendance. Biffle said he had committed to a two-day conference set up by his sponsor months ago.

MORE...

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2011/09/03/2575448/nascar-takes-pr-hit.html

[Exultant Democracy]

1. Well at least we don't spend public tax payer money to support this sport... oh shoot

[Historic NY]

7. but we do......

http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2011/02/18/army-wins-nascar-sponsorship-fight/

[GSLevel9]

11. the US gov't doesn't SUPPORT NASCAR

they simply purchase ADVERTISING and a marketing advantage for the US Army. They also purchase advertising space in HUNDREDS of magazines and newspapers.

[boppers]

13. Did you read the linked article?

There are NASCAR teams we sponsor. It's not just advertising on cars or at events, we're actually sponsoring teams. Here's the Army's team: http://www.goarmy.com/army-racing/nascar-cup-series.html

[ZombieHorde]

2. A PR hit with whom? Sports trump politics here in the US. nt

[Harmony Blue]

3. They are considered heroes on stormfront

...ugh

[TwilightGardener]

4. Even if you disagree with the President politically, if he wants to honor what you do, you

owe it to your sport and organization to show up. Edit to add: my husband was no fan of President Bush. But he shook the man's hand and was respectful.

[GodlessBiker]

5. Hell, if I were a driver and invited to the WH by Shrub, I wouldn't have gone.

I don't think there is anything wrong with declining a WH invitation. It's not like you are being summoned by a king.

[Arugula Latte]

6. Nah. Most of the redneck fans will approve.

[otohara]

8. No Biggie, Remember When the Poets Refused Laura Bush?

because of the Iraq invasion?

[Exilednight]

9. NASCAR has always had a black eye. I don't fault the drivers for turning

down the invite, it's politically motivated for some, but hey politics comes in many shapes and sizes. As someone else posted, i supported the poets who turned down Laura Bush based on the invasion of Iraq.

[OwnedByFerrets]

10. I try not to be a hypocrite. If monkeyboy had invited ME to the

WH, I would have refused. Period, end of story.

[GSLevel9]

12. +1 for honesty... nt

[kaiden]

14. And we care about this Redneck Roundy Roundy, why?

[Bake]

15. I hope those fuckers hit the wall next race.

What utter bullshit. As much as I loathed Boy Goerge, he WAS (thank God it's "was" and not "is") the President. I would have gone. I might have worn a shirt that said "BUCK FUSH," but I would have gone.

Turn down an invitation by the White House? Fuck 'em. And fuck NASCAR. Redneck SOBs.

Bake