ESPN Allegedly Pulls NASCAR Ad Over Religious Undertones on Driver’s Personal Web Site
- Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:43pm by
Billy Hallowell
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Like many other individuals and institutions in the entertainment and athletic realms, NASCAR driver Blake Koch is involved in a campaign aimed at educating fans on the importance of voting in U.S. elections.
Koch has teamed up with his sponsor, the Rise Up and Register campaign, in an effort to inspire greater political efficacy. But in an interview on “FOX & Friends,” Koch explained that an television ad he appeared in for the campaign never aired, as he alleges that ESPN rejected it based on purported political and religious overtones.
Koch told host Brian Kilmeade that ESPN relayed a message that the ad was pulled because of the religious undertones on his own web site. But the race-car driver reiterated that his ad was only intended to register one million people to vote. The effort, Koch said, wasn’t tied to any party or candidate. Below, see the clip in question (notice that faith and partisan politics aren’t mentioned):
“I didn’t think that my faith in Christ would have an impact on whether or not a sponsor could air a commercial or not,” he said, going on to say that he’s undeterred. “The one thing I will not do is deny my faith just because a particular sponsor might not like the way I express my faith, which I do on my own time.”
Watch Koch explain the situation, below:
(H/T: FOX News Insider)





















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Comments (179)
Lumbar Spine
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:31pmGod is a big fan of women’s beach volleyballl…NASCAR, not so much. What’s the point of watching people driving around in circles? Maybe NASCAR should encourage more fighting between the drivers.
Report Post »Paul
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:46pmDid your mother have any kids that lived?
You are so desperate for attention and most give it to you…
You are truly an idiot, fool……. grow up.
Report Post »Locked
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:05pm“What’s the point of watching people driving around in circles?”
To see them crash. Anyone who watches NASCAR is honest enough will agree; the race can be exciting, but everyone has a tiny bit of them waiting for that horrible collision and flaming car. It’s the gambling mentality; pull the lever enough and eventually you’ll “win.”
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:41pm@LOCKED
I don’t know if you are a sports fan or not, but for arguments sake, let’s say you are a Baseball fan.
When you, or any other “honest” fan are watching a game, are you sitting there just waiting for the next line drive to catch the pitcher square between the eyes?
I hope not.
Report Post »turkey13
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:27pmLast year ESPN covered The Prayer before the race. Sounds like they won’t this year being an election year. Fox covers the first 1/3 of season and the the rest of the races are on ESPN and NBC. I wonder if ESPN was covering last Friday nights Nation wide race have shown Coach Joe Gibbs and crew saying a prayer after Gibbs car won the race. If they start this I will drop ESPN and watch on Nascar Net.
Report Post »COFemale
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:38pmTell me Lumbar do you watch baseball? Don’t they run around bases time after time. They even get up to do over and over and over. Do you watch football? They run up and down the field taking turns between each team. They don’t get it right the first time, they do it over. do you watch Tennis; don’t they hit a ball back and forth? Do you watch bass fishing? Now that is a boring sport.
If you look at this, these are sports where MEN participate. So tell me again how NASCAR is idiotic by watching cars go around a track? Men are so easily entertained. Only tennis is the sport enjoyed by both genders.
Report Post »wakeus_com
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:19pmAre you really that big of a piece of trash, or do you get off stirring things up? Either way, I am sad for you.
Report Post »The-Monk
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:07pmJust my opinion…
NASCAR = National Association of Slow Cars And Rednecks.
I’m more of a Formula One, Indy Car, Grand Prix type of person.
Report Post »Partyof1
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:22pmI can’t say for sure but it seems that NASCAIR has instituted a non denominational prayer before the races this year,. In the past, clergy has had the freedom to pray in the Name of Jesus but I haven’t heard that this year so far. If you know if this is a new rule post it here.
Report Post »000degrees
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 7:16amThis is not the only reason to turn espn off……
Report Post »CHRISTIANNATION
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 9:34am@COFEMALE You obvisously are not a NASCAR fan. NASCAR has a very large female fan base.
Report Post »michael48
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 10:14ambest part of lumbar the spineless, ran down the donkey’s leg..but indoctrination is a simple task when dealing with the meaningless…carry on comrade..serfdom suits you well…
Report Post »Cavy from VA
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 4:33pmLumbarSpine
????? … is that just half a spine?? guess you should quit acting like the airhead progressive you are … I know what you thought … “har har har … gee the cars go round and round … how stupid!” …
Report Post »It would only take a quarter lap before you’d be using up your depends … or did you just think that the car was riding like it was on the freeway on the way to grannies …
No you Airhead … the car is riding like you forgot to apply the brakes as you exited the freeway and found yourself in the middle of that neat cloverleaf … THAT is what is going on as they go round and round … at speeds you have never seen … with other cars … containing drivers who may not be your best bud … all headed for the same spot … FOR HOURS! Intense razor edge skill is needed to master that …
Newsy
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 12:56pmYou missed the point here. It is not about a sport. It is about asserting your right to vote.
Maybe you misunderstood the intent of the author and speaker. If so you need to further your education.
Report Post »demarvell
Posted on March 31, 2012 at 10:51pmIn some states NASCAR “is” a religion, fool.
Report Post »Pokey054
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:28pmAll people of religious convictions need to stand up and be counted. If we continue to be the silent majority, the godless minority will strip us of our rights. ESPN should be shunned. Any entity that openly attacks religion, of any kind should be boycotted. Vote with your pocket book, vote with your remote, vote with your feet, and above all else don’t just sit there and take it anymore.
Any attack on any religion is an attack on your religion–all religions. All people of faith combined far outnumber the godless. We’d better stand together, or we will all be shouted down and subjugated separately.
Report Post »Tom K
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:23pmThere is an all out assault on anything to do with Christians and God, in America and throughout the world. Stand on your faith no matter what. The Devil is working overtime, while he still has time.
Report Post »stagedlife
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:30pmLike.
And completely agree, as long as we continue give our money to these people they will continue to use OUR money to fight against our principles. Take away their ability to do so.
Report Post »WeNeedaHero
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 4:16pmThis is undeniably the truth, and yes, we must stand. And having done all, stand.
Report Post »DJ in AZ
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 4:23pmBring it on! I stand with my Lord and Savior, as do many of you.
Report Post »JGraham III
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:02pmI have long suspected that many of the commentators on ESPN have heads relatively devoid of brain matter, but with this latest of many religiously oriented stories and ESPN’s lack of willingness to carry them I think their jock straps are empty as well.
Report Post »Silversmith
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:30pmI find it really odd that today on the Blaze there is THIS story about a Christian being denied commerce because of his faith, and also ANOTHER story about how a gay pride group is being denied commerce by a Christian t-shirt manufacturer because of their faith. What do they have in common? In both stories the Christians are being targeted for reprisals.
I guess it doesn’t matter which side of the equation you are on. Just being Christian is good enough to get you in hot water these days.
Who‘d a thought we’d ever see it.
Silversmith
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:09amI had read that today was a day of Fast & Prayer for intervention for our Country. I will add this young man to my prayer list as I intend to spend the day praying while I do my work and when I have free time, I will read my bible and pray. Although I had a cup of coffee, I will only drink water the rest of the day as I have a deep concern for our Country and our faith and freedom.
Report Post »kchick
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:27pmTrevor Baine thanks GOD after all of his races, Joe Gibbs is very religious. So is about all of Nascar. I can listen to the radio when ESPN starts to broadcast. They are not good for Nascar.
Report Post »CatB
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:43pmNASCAR .. the last race last year .. teamed up with team Obama and made M.O. the Grand Marshall .. they lost me as a FAN FOREVER.
BTW this year in the first race Daytona … I was a Nielson family I made certain I was not only not watching the race .. I was watching something else!
Report Post »tckid17
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:44pmThe Politically Incorrect ESPN, which is owned by the Mouse Ears, wont allow for anything religious that could offend radical Islam. I wish Fox Network could have won the TV rights for NASCAR.
Report Post »frust@ted
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:26pmPeople ESPN pulled the ad not Nascar.
ESPN is out of control I can’t wait for Fox to startup their new sports network to compete against ESPN.
Report Post »sixdogman
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 8:39pmshame on you ESPN. what is the nation turning to? if the car had “satan rules” or other offensive to Christians lingo , would you have pulled out? i don’t think so. at least the guy didn’t say “that’s a ***** in my armor” you may have pushed to have him arrested. drop ESPN and ABC. oh yeah, drop MSNBC,NBC,CBS,CNN,DON’T READ THE NEWSPAPERS. people on the left always try to put conservatives out of business. there‘s more of us than them so let’s start dropping their networks and sponsors. you stop supporting these Godless media leftist and maybe they will stop attacking us. that is the only way to hurt thrm. also vote out the Democrats. that party has turned away from GOD and worships the state and federal govenment as jf that is their savior.
Report Post »drphil69
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:26pmIf he was gay, and they pulled the ad, he could sue.
Unfortunately discrimination against Christians and Jews in this country is allowed and promoted.
Report Post »The Woot
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:32pmIf he was gay, they probably wouldn’t have pulled his ad.
Report Post »kevymac
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:26pmI love the free market! We can still spend our money with our remote control.
Report Post »Glenfin
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:09pmYou said a mouthful! Don’t support ESPN or their sponsers……
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:26amYou betcha! Love to avoid hateful, one sided people and companies. I try to pray for them to change.
Report Post »PIGSWILLNEVERFLY
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:25pmDisney (protect that mouse) strikes again. This conglomorate owns ABC, ESPN, Walt Disney Movie Studios, Marvel Comics, publishing and more. In fact there are only 4 that own most all of media,
Comcast & GE own NBC MSNBC, CNBC, Universal Pictures, Cable TV, phones, broadband, utilities & more.
Viacom owns CBS, UPN, MTV, Showtime, Paramount Picures, Publishing, Theaters, Sundance Channel & more.
News Corp owns Fox News, Fox Sports, 20th Century Fox, FBN, Magazines, Publishing, Radio & more.
Report Post »jcldwl
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:20pmHearing these things just confirms the reason I swore off of professional sports. When those who broadcast the sports are Godless liberals then I don’t need the sport. This was the first year I remember not watching the Superbowl. I’ll never watch another one. Or any other professional sporting event. I tried watching NASCAR a few times but there were so many commercials and so much useless blabbering by announcers, I just couldn’t take it. Oh the Freedom of walking away from TV.
Report Post »BadgerBenson
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:27pmJCLDWL, I don’t disagree with your thoughts about the networks and their coverage. But swearing off sports because of it? Isn‘t that sort of like saying I hate the coverage of MSNBC and Fox News so I’m swearing off politics.
Report Post »teddrunk
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:19pmNASCAR reached it’s pinnacle at least a decade ago. They’re abandoning the people that made them for a PC/World View like USAC did when it became CART then split to become CART & IRL.
Report Post »Open wheel fan support withered on the vine. Next thing we’ll see is the NASCAR officials posing for pictures with Obama & Pelosi while introducing the new season featuring Prius versus Volt racing.
Therightsofbilly
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:30pmGood points Ted,
But even Volts will end up being taboo for them.
Racing will be limited to Flintstone Mobiles when they get complete control.
It’s only a matter of time.
Too bad it’s “Back in time” that they have in mind.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:37pmYou have to remember that NASCAR also bent to pressure and use ethanol in thier fuels now…sickening.
Report Post »VoteRightDammit
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:19pmWasn‘t it ESPN who also shot themselves in the foot over the Lin ’fiasco’ when a title writer used the phrase “***** in the armor” ………… prompting an immediate firing by the liberal infested ESPN?
And here is strike two.
These people are fast dashing down the path to obscurity. Must be some sort of death wish, or perhaps a feeling that MSNBC needs company.
Report Post »SpankDaMonkey
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:18pm.
“I didn’t think that my faith in Christ” Yep you didn’t think……
NASCAR is so PC now, I bet #3 is Spinning into the wall in turn 4 all over
Report Post »ZepShepley
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:17pmIf there is any truth in stereotypes (and there usually is), one million more NASCAR fans voting simply means one million more votes against President Obama come November. Seems pretty obvious.
Report Post »Secret Squirrel
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:16pm.
Report Post »We can’t be encouraging Christians to vote now, can we?
Can’t ESPN find some atheist drivers?
Communist drivers?
Baddoggy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:34pmHmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Let’s see…I drive a car at 200MPH and need monetary sponsors…I cant be an Athiest and feel really secure about driving that fast and I can’t be a Commie because I need names of business on the side of my car.
My guess is no….
Report Post »voxpopuli2012
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:24pmThere are no atheists in foxholes; errrr, racecars.
Report Post »PJL
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:13pmESPN what stupid thing to do, his fans would already know he is religious, people who don’t know him would certainly not know of his faith by that get out the vote ad. Stupid
Report Post »madenoughtocomment
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:11pmIt’s the final straw for us to just “listen” to the NASCAR races when they go off of SPEED and onto ESPN. Their coverage is always lousy anyway ! Certainly they don’t want a million new voters if they come from the NASCAR crowd !!!!! I’ll bet less than ” 1% ” would be voting for the communists anyway. You don’t need ESPN guys. Take a stand NOW !
Report Post »BJC
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:22pmIf people don’t start making a stand now they will lose to the Community Agitator. ESPN needs to be contacted by every Patriot loving American. Get off you butts folks!! Obama owns the media!!!
Report Post »wvernon1981
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:09pmGood for him. He should obey the dictates of his own conscience if it’s that important to him.
Report Post »Joisey
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:01pmThe message is clear: Christians who don’t hide their faith are to be excluded from both the public square and public commerce. After that, I guess the Left will want to herd all the Christians into specially created ghettos.
Report Post »HKS
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:10pmOh no, not Detroit, not even a christian can save that.
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:11pmroman‘s and nazi’s tried that…..where are they now
Report Post »HKS
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:00pmIs anyone else paying attention to the unprecedented attacks on the christian religion under the Obama administration? I think it speaks of where this president is taking this country, the government is pushing an anti-christian agenda. It should be advertised by the people so there is no mistake as to what is going on. If they were against this it would not be happening.
Report Post »TXPilot
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:05pmAll the secular, elitist traitors know, that NASCAR is something that is supported by millions of Christians, so obviously, it must be subverted and ruined.
Report Post »Lumbar Spine
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:08pmYou are aware, aren’t you, that it was a private corporate communications entity, ESPN, that declined the ads and not President Obama? Are you suggesting that government regulations should prevent ESPN from exercising its discretion in which ads it chooses to run?
Report Post »oldguy49
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:12pmi’m gonna miss espn
Report Post »deeberj
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:20pmOh, yes. We do notice the attacks. From Gov’t, from private businesses, from all around. Communist/Socialist idealogy wants no religion, especially Christian because those darned Christians will die for their beliefs. Look at Communist Russia and so many martyrs.
Report Post »sawbuck
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:08pmLUMBAR SPINE
Report Post »Glad to see that agree that the
CHRISTIAN T-SHIRT COMPANY
Has the right to deny service to anyone they choose.
Being a private company and all ..
UNLESS you want to admit you’re a hypocrite ..?
CLEttinger
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:21pmI have never personaly observed so many attackes on Christians and Jews, especialy when the Muslims, who are causing all the trouble in the world, get a free ride and noone is allowed to say boo about them.
Report Post »oldwmn
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:57pmNASCAR is way too PC now and the sad thing is the sponsors have the purse strings, i have seen all sponsors go from a l year contract to 6 months to 3 months, if you even blink the wrong way the sponsor is gone to another driver or venue it is not right but they are the ones who get you tires, testing, fuel, parts, sometimes i wish NASCAR would go back to their white lighting running days and say ruk off to everyone.. bring me the races free style no rules no regs just go racen boys..full throttle and lets bring back SALEM PALL MALL CAMEL ciggies sponsors to hades with PC ..tired of it
Report Post »old white guy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:07pmthey just keep dumping on Christians. Christ said we would suffer for His name but he also said that if you did not have a sword that you should sell your cloak and buy one. sounds to me that he wanted Christians to stand up as opposed to rolling over.
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:10pmSorta like watching Amish racing horse and buggy racing, espically since Dale Ernhart died.
Report Post »wvernon1981
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:11pmOld White Guy,
What evidence do you have that this policy is only limited to Christians? I’m guessing other faiths and atheists would be subject to the same policy.
Report Post »Lumbar Spine
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:25pmYea, OLDWMN…NASCAR the way Jesus likes it!
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:53pm@LUMBAR
This way
http://www.nascar.com/2010/news/features/11/10/inside-nascar-prayer-dreutimann-tbayne-mmcdowell-jmcmurray/index.html
Report Post »Lumbar Spine
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:17pmLOL…BILLY. These guys are Christians because they’re praying to win. Let me win, Lord, and I’ll tell everybody how great you are!
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:57pmI wish that I was a viewer of ESPN so that I could stop.
But I have never found it worthy of my time.
Report Post »wvernon1981
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:13pmI don’t waste time watching ESPN either.
I long ago realized that boycotting something wasn’t worth my time as an individual because the effectiveness of a boycott is from a large number of people participating. My individual contribution doesn’t matter so I never boycott.
Report Post »Smokey_Bojangles
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:17pmESPN= Encouraging Secularism Perpetual NAZIS.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:26pmHey Vern,
Don’t sell yourself short there Vern.
What’s with the “my individual contribution doesn’t matter” attitude?
If that’s your attitude, here’s hoping that you sit home this coming November.
“E Pluribus Unum” my friend.
Report Post »wvernon1981
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:40pmThink about it this way. In large numbers, say voting, if you took away your vote, it didn’t change the election. If you take away your oil consumption, you didn’t change the market price of oil. If you don’t shop at a store for a particular reason, no one notices. I vote for entertainment purposes only. I’m not going to change an election with a single vote.
Report Post »wvernon1981
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:43pmWhy voting (or boycotts, etc) doesn’t matter:
http://www.wfu.edu/~heckeljc/papers/published/IRcomment.pdf
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:57pmHey Vern,
Get up to “speed” will you. (Pun intended)
There is a reason that I double space the lines in most of my posts.
It is to make it easier for eggheads like you to read between them.
Report Post »wvernon1981
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:01pmSorry if I missed your point earlier.
Report Post »Therightsofbilly
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:49pm@VERN
I hope your view is prevalent among the lefties.
It sure won’t be on the right.
Report Post »Jaimo
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:56pmWell, his name is Koch. That might have something to do with it.
Report Post »HorseCrazy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:56pmespn is making a bad business choice here. let them try and figure out the percentage of nascar fans that are Christians…its huge and the Christians are still the majority in this country so why make business desicions that go against basic statistics.
Report Post »Baddoggy
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:53pmESPN is owned by the Hearst Corporation. i once worked for them…Godless? That does not even start to describe them…The devil’s network, newspapers and magazines…
Report Post »The_Almighty_Creestof
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:51pmI’d rather have a thousand NASCAR fans who believe in SOMETHING, voting this year, rather than a bunch of “cradle to grave” entitlement babies who believe in voting for Obama BECAUSE he’s black.
Report Post »Sergei
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:57pmharumph
Report Post »J.C. McGlynn
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:12pmOr taxpayer paid for free stuff.
Report Post »SquidVetOhio
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:48pmNo surprise. ESPN is filled with godless liberals just like their ABC cousins. Why do you think (except for a few) analysts on ESPN love to hate Tim Tebow? I submit sports journalist are more liberally biased than political journalist. They hate Rush Limbaugh more than their politico colleagues based on nothing.
Report Post »Lumbar Spine
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:22pmYea…because believing in Jesus is such an important qualification for broadcasting sports.
Report Post »drago
Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:41pm@lumbarspineless aka encinom.
Report Post »Have you ever shown your qualifications for being human,you pathetic pos……