Faith

ESPN Allegedly Pulls NASCAR Ad Over Religious Undertones on Driver’s Personal Web Site

ESPN Allegedly Pulls NASCAR Ad Over Religious Undertones on Drivers Web SiteLike 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)

Comments (179)

  • Lumbar Spine
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:31pm

    God 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 1:46pm

      Did 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 » Paul  
    • 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 » Therightsofbilly  
    • turkey13
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 5:27pm

      Last 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 5:38pm

      Tell 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 » COFemale  
    • wakeus_com
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 6:19pm

      Are 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 » wakeus_com  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:07pm

      Just 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 » The-Monk  
    • Partyof1
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 10:22pm

      I 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 7:16am

      This 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 10:14am

      best 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 4:33pm

      LumbarSpine

      ????? … 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!” …
      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 …

      Report Post » Cavy from VA  
    • Newsy
      Posted on March 31, 2012 at 12:56pm

      You 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 10:51pm

      In some states NASCAR “is” a religion, fool.

      Report Post »  
  • Pokey054
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:28pm

    All 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 » Pokey054  
    • Tom K
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:23pm

      There 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 2:30pm

      Like.

      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 4:16pm

      This 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 4:23pm

      Bring it on! I stand with my Lord and Savior, as do many of you.

      Report Post »  
    • JGraham III
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 9:02pm

      I 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 10:30pm

      I 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 » Silversmith  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:09am

      I 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 1:27pm

    Trevor 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 » kchick  
    • CatB
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:43pm

      NASCAR .. 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 5:44pm

      The 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 1:26pm

    People 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 8:39pm

      shame 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 1:26pm

    If 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 2:32pm

      If he was gay, they probably wouldn’t have pulled his ad.

      Report Post » The Woot  
  • kevymac
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:26pm

    I love the free market! We can still spend our money with our remote control.

    Report Post » kevymac  
    • Glenfin
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:09pm

      You said a mouthful! Don’t support ESPN or their sponsers……

      Report Post »  
    • Bluebonnet
      Posted on March 30, 2012 at 11:26am

      You 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 1:25pm

    Disney (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 » PIGSWILLNEVERFLY  
  • jcldwl
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:20pm

    Hearing 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 » jcldwl  
    • BadgerBenson
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:27pm

      JCLDWL, 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 » BadgerBenson  
  • teddrunk
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:19pm

    NASCAR 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.
    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.

    Report Post »  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:30pm

      Good 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 » Therightsofbilly  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:37pm

      You have to remember that NASCAR also bent to pressure and use ethanol in thier fuels now…sickening.

      Report Post » Baddoggy  
  • VoteRightDammit
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:19pm

    Wasn‘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 » VoteRightDammit  
  • 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 » SpankDaMonkey  
  • ZepShepley
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:17pm

    If 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

    .
    We can’t be encouraging Christians to vote now, can we?
    Can’t ESPN find some atheist drivers?
    Communist drivers?

    Report Post » Secret Squirrel  
    • Baddoggy
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:34pm

      Hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm. 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 » Baddoggy  
    • voxpopuli2012
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:24pm

      There are no atheists in foxholes; errrr, racecars.

      Report Post » voxpopuli2012  
  • PJL
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:13pm

    ESPN 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 » PJL  
  • madenoughtocomment
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:11pm

    It’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 » madenoughtocomment  
    • BJC
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:22pm

      If 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 1:09pm

    Good 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 1:01pm

    The 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 » Joisey  
    • HKS
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:10pm

      Oh no, not Detroit, not even a christian can save that.

      Report Post » HKS  
    • oldguy49
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:11pm

      roman‘s and nazi’s tried that…..where are they now

      Report Post »  
  • HKS
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:00pm

    Is 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 » HKS  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:05pm

      All 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 » TXPilot  
    • Lumbar Spine
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:08pm

      You 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 1:12pm

      i’m gonna miss espn

      Report Post »  
    • deeberj
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:20pm

      Oh, 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 » deeberj  
    • sawbuck
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:08pm

      LUMBAR SPINE
      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 ..?

      Report Post » sawbuck  
    • CLEttinger
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:21pm

      I 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 » CLEttinger  
  • oldwmn
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:57pm

    NASCAR 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 » oldwmn  
  • Therightsofbilly
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:57pm

    I 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 » Therightsofbilly  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:13pm

      I 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 1:17pm

      ESPN= Encouraging Secularism Perpetual NAZIS.

      Report Post » Smokey_Bojangles  
    • Therightsofbilly
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:26pm

      Hey 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 » Therightsofbilly  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:40pm

      Think 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 1:43pm

      Why 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 1:57pm

      Hey 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 » Therightsofbilly  
    • wvernon1981
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 2:01pm

      Sorry 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 » Therightsofbilly  
  • Jaimo
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:56pm

    Well, his name is Koch. That might have something to do with it.

    Report Post »  
  • HorseCrazy
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:56pm

    espn 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 12:53pm

    ESPN 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 » Baddoggy  
  • The_Almighty_Creestof
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:51pm

    I’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 »  
  • SquidVetOhio
    Posted on March 29, 2012 at 12:48pm

    No 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 » SquidVetOhio  
    • Lumbar Spine
      Posted on March 29, 2012 at 1:22pm

      Yea…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.
      Have you ever shown your qualifications for being human,you pathetic pos……

      Report Post »  

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