NASCAR’s Daytona 500 race takes place today after being postponed Sunday due to rain. There probably couldn’t be anything less political about it but the sport highlights a funny, somewhat predictable difference between Rick Santorum and Mitt Romney.

During today’s race driver Tony Raines will be operating a car sponsored by Santorum’s campaign. His advice to Raines: “Let all the other cars in front of you wreck. And then run hard in the last few laps and win the race,” he said joking (we hope).

In contrast, Romney doesn’t have a car with his name on it for this race. But he did head to the Florida track on Sunday to watch it. He was asked if he follows the sport. “Not as closely as some of the most ardent fans, but I have some friends who are NASCAR team owners,” he answered.

(Cough).