Start Your Engines: Conservative Group Targets NASCAR Fans in Unconventional ‘Get Out the Vote’ Campaign
- Posted on May 30, 2012 at 1:43pm by
Erica Ritz
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(Photo: American Majority Racing)
The American left is notorious for it’s “Get Out the Vote” campaigns, which encompass everything from labor unions to MTV. But now, it seems, the right is starting to manage an equally effective — if not more entertaining campaign — of their own. And they’re doing it with NASCAR fans.
More conservative than most of the population, roughly one in five NASCAR fans isn’t registered to vote, and a group called “American Majority” is hoping to change that.
Its website explains: “The program is designed to target millions of NASCAR fans from all political backgrounds in an unprecedented effort to engage them in the electoral process. Having teamed up with NASCAR driver Jason Bowles and car #81 MacDonald Motorsports for the 2012 NASCAR Nationwide Series racing season, the American Majority Racing program is designed to educate Americans about how smaller government and less spending will ‘Keep America Free.’”
Ned Ryun, who founded American Majority, explained: “The fact that a conservative non-profit would do this [sponsor its own race car] for an entire season is unprecedented.”
He continued: “We want to be a portal into politics for NASCAR Nation. One of the things that excites me is being able to challenge people and say listen, if you are concerned about too much government, too much spending, not enough individual freedom, there’s something you can do about it, and that’s vote. I think that’s a message that will resonate.”
And it‘s no small audience they’re targeting.
According to statistics released by NASCAR, the average attendance at Nationwide races last season was 60,000 people, and more than 120,000 for premiere events. Even when numbers were low at the beginning of the economic downturn, a stadium that could hold 135,000 fans often saw 80,000 on a race day — about the size of a crowd for an NFL game.
In raw numbers, according to the Washington Examiner, NASCAR’s fan base includes roughly 75 million Americans.
Even Time Magazine profiled the movement, explaining that it isn’t just ideology that will get people to vote — it’s excitement.
(Photo: American Majority Racing)
“The most effective messages are the ones that resonate with reality,” Merle Black, a professor of Political Science at Emory University elaborated.
And that’s where tying NASCAR, to voting comes into play.
Ryun summarized: “We’re trying to communicate to them that if you don’t like where you are now these are a couple of steps you can take to get us back on that path to freedom and prosperity. We’re challenging them, saying if you want to see difference, here’s how you do it. It’s very simple…get registered and vote.”
The metaphorical race for voters will soon shift into first gear, on both sides of the political spectrum.
Ladies and gentlemen, start your engines.
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winterhead
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:35pmHey Erica, just for future reference, in NASCAR we don’t say, “car #81″. It’s referred to as the 81 car. If you ever watched more than 2 races or went to one, then you would know. Just one of many small traditions that we love to respect.
Report Post »DarthMims
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:17pmJason’s 15th in points right now, not bad for a rookie. Maybe this will get more fans out to vote. I talk to race fans all the time, and most of them have some pretty strong political opinions. Then I ask them are they registered to vote. Most of the time the answer is no.
Report Post »PointBreak
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:26amConservatives already own the youth vote via Ron Paul – only problem is the GOP doesn’t own Ron Paul, so they ain’t gonna run him.
Report Post »lizaz
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 1:14amMost NASCAR fans I know wouldn’t vote democratic if only they were running. NASCAR fans still pray before a race, sing the Star Spangled Banner and look to their maker for safety and assistance during a race. These are things liberals wouldn’t ever understand, so, hopefully they’ll get a lot of them registered and the fans will learn what the left represents and diss them!! November is five months away!!!!
Report Post »cosmic dogma
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:48amGreat idea! Every vote counts. Our next president could appoint 3-4 Supreme Court Justices. Reason enough to drop all animosity towards a candidate perhaps not supported in the past. Ask yourself…who do you want in control of the military if there is another world war? Could happen, all of the set up is similar to the last one. obama would lose happily. Would prefer an actual American, who knows there are 50 states, and loves all of them.
Report Post »Dotski
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 5:56pm“AMERICANS” start your engines and vote in November…..and as Darryl would say..”LET’S GO VOTING EVERYONE”…I’m a Conservative, I am a registered voter. and I am a NASCAR Fan all the way.
Report Post »GollygeeMrwilson
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 5:25pmWould have been nice if they would have sponsored an American car rather than a Toyota, But you can’t have everything, where would you put it?
Report Post »brezzeone
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 5:56pmThat car was made in America
Report Post »iroquois
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 7:07pmFord only car company that did not take the bail out. GM and the other one took the money, our money. Bottom line not GM or the other car company. PS: The Union runs GM :-(
Report Post »lstoddard004
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 3:52pmWay to go American Majority!!
Report Post »Gonzo
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:25pmThe South is already Romney country (or anyone but Obama country anyway).
Report Post »Firebrand
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:19pmI can see the commercial now. Tony Stewart is “pitchin’ a fit”, mad, screaming, throwing things, and just unhappy with the current economy. Then he turns around and says, “Are you tired of feeling this way too? Then VOTE! There‘s no better way to get heard when you’re frustrated with politicians and corruption. There’s no better way than to VOTE!”
“I’m Tony Stewart, and I approve this message.”
Report Post »awkward_but_true
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 4:23pmThe sceen: Pit row at a NASCAR race. Cars are coming in for fuel, tires, etc.
Last car into the pit is swerving all over the track, on fire, and is barely under control.
It comes power slidding in sideways into it’s pit spot and the pit crew trips all over themselves getting out it. They proceed to douse the flames with gas, put water in the fuel tank, and stab all the remaining tires that have air in them.
Zoom back to American Majority car and Crew Chief: Chief asks the driver, “What the heck is going on with those idiots!?”
The driver removes his helmet to reveal Mitt Romney and says, “That’s the Democrat Racing Team, they’ve been doing that the whole race. Doesn’t look like they are about to change either.”
Commercial fades out as the Democrat car explodes in the background with the pitcrew running about in classic Keystone Cop fashion.
Report Post »DarthMims
Posted on May 31, 2012 at 12:32pmDale Jr. pulls onto pit road, gets out and hundreds of reporters start asking “Are you gonna win this week?”. Junior slumps towards his motorcoach, sighing as he walks in. The whole National Guard team is in there and starts asking him “Are you gonna vote this election?” Junior smiles, looks at the camera and says, “Now that’s an easy answer!” and flashes his voter registration card.
Report Post »eunipetuni
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:18pm@ TOPOFTHEGAME, You said it great!!! America, lets win.
Report Post »muhamed
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:15pmNASCAR is becoming a bastion for liberal thought and cesspool of progressive ideas. They’re the first to bow down to any liberal thought or criticism that comes their way. Instead of fighting for what they believe in, what their fans believe in and support, and fighting for their rights and ideals, they choose to sell out to liberal causes and ideals for the NASCAR almighty God…greenbacks!
Report Post »LeadNotFollow
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:06pm…
Report Post »Come on NASCAR fans, get off your butts and vote Obama out of the White House.
t00nces2
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:18pmBoogity! Boogity! Boogity! Let‘s go votin’!
Report Post »victoria_29
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:48pmLOL Now i Like that boogity boogity lets go votin’ I can even hear Darryl saying it
Report Post »AvengerK
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:02pmKickstart my heart baby…..
Report Post »MONICNE
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:38pmThank you for taking 30 seconds at 3:00 PM on Monday May 28th the official “50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War,” to remember all our our fallen but especially our SE Asia Dead, Injured, and Prisoner of War/Missing in Action on this 13-year (May 28, 2012, through November 11, 2025) commemoration to honor and give thanks to a generation of proud Americans.
Welcome home, NamVets!
POW/MIA Never Forget: Prisoner of the Taliban Sgt. Bowe Bergdahl of Hailey, Idaho
1,689 SE Asian POW and MIA, never forget
Report Post »Vietnam: 1,296
North Vietnam: 476
South Vietnam: 820
Laos: 328
Cambodia: 58
China (territorial waters): 7
CatB
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:02pmWell that might work .. for the ones who didn’t stop watching NASCAR after they teamed up with M.O. at the last race last year. I have not watched a race since .. and will not … I WAS a lifelong fan .. my dad was a race fan and handed it down to me .. even grew up not far from the M.I.S. track and have met many of the drivers over the years.
Now I know one person doesn’t make a difference .. right? except that I happened to be a Nielson family the first race of this year … so it cost them at least ONE COUNTED viewer. Now with them bending to the “green” movement this year … NASCAR is not NASCAR.
Report Post »Unbelievable
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:12pmThis “Green” thing with NASCAR is kind of a twist our arm thing. The EPA has been coming down hard on NASCAR and if they didn‘t do something to appease them the EPA would find a way to regulate NASCAR to the point they won’t exist.
Report Post »Snowleopard {gallery of cat folks}
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:18pmI hope we can get Obama out of office this Nov. Until he is gone, gone, gone, from the White House I will assume nothing to be past his growing madness.
Report Post »troymac20
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:21pmNascar hasn’t been Nascar in a long time. They lost me years ago.
Report Post »Restored One
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 3:35pmMO & Mrs Biden got Booed at that race, I doubt that they will return. And you know that BO aint gonna show up. NASCAR fans cling to their religion and guns. Very proudly I must say. Go Rowdy!
Report Post »NuRelic
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:00pmNot just yeah, but … HELL YEAH!
Report Post »TOPOFTHEGAME
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 1:51pmAmerica…….START YOUR ENGINES
Report Post »eunipetuni
Posted on May 30, 2012 at 2:15pm@ TOPOFTHEGAME — You said it great!!!! Yes America lets win.
Report Post »