Romney, Santorum campaigns vie for NASCAR vote
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Tony Raines’ strategy for the raindelayed Daytona 500? Conservative, of course. Just check his hood. On a Sunday when Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney made the rounds shaking hands at Daytona International Speedway, Raines’ No. 26 was sporting a “Rick 2012” logo fashioned as a campaign button.
The Ford was sponsored by candidate Rick Santorum, whose name also adorned the quarter-panels and rear bumper for the season-opening race. The Daytona presence of Romney and Santorum came in advance of Tuesday’s pivotal GOP primary election in Michigan.
The Detroit News reported the United Auto Workers union would fly a banner over the race reminding of Romney’s opposition to the U.S. auto bailout.
“This combines a couple of things I like best. Cars and sports,” the former Massachusetts governor said, addressing drivers, crew chiefs and team owners in a prerace meeting.
Santorum wasn’t at the track Sunday, but the former U.S. senator from Pennsylvania called Raines after Saturday’s final practice for a 10-minute chat.
“I told him I was following the last few debates and he seems to be standing out,” said Raines, 47. “I think it’s cool they take notices of us and have a presence in the race. Our fans are the backbone of America. I enjoyed talking to him. It was cool he wanted to touch base.”
Raines wasn’t guaranteed a spot in the Great American Race, but he put his Front Row Motorsports entry in the 41st starting spot by qualifying on speed.
Though he didn’t characterize himself as overly political, the Laporte, Ind., native said he was a Republican and would consid- er voting for Santorum.
“I told him if I won I wanted an invite to Michigan,” Raines said. “There’s probably going to be some people who don’t like it, but for us it’s all positive.”
There is a long history of politicians using stock cars to promote their campaigns.
Former Virginia governor Mark Warner was a backer of cars at Richmond International Raceway and Martinsville Speedway. In 2004, Bob Graham was on a Roush Racing truck with his Democratic presidential campaign.
NASCAR must approve any sponsor a team elects to put on its car during an event. “We carefully evaluate every proposal and ensure that they stay within our standards,” NASCAR senior vice president of racing operations Steve O’donnell said.