In a stunning move, the Obama White House announced today that GM and Chrysler must end their involvement in NASCAR stock car racing at the end of this season to remain eligible to receive additional financial aid from the government.
“Automakers used to operate on the principle of ‘win on Sunday, sell on Monday,’ but the Auto Task Force’s research just doesn’t validate that as true,” said the statement from President Obama. “NASCAR is a racing series that regulates down to the smallest detail of the cars, where a car badged a Chevrolet or Dodge differs only marginally from a Ford or a Toyota. There’s no technological development to speak of.”
“In order to receive the government’s money, corporations must demonstrate they will spend it wisely. Racing has been said to improve on-road technology, but frankly, NASCAR almost flaunts its standing among the lowest-tech forms of motorsport. NASCAR is not proven to drive advancements that transfer from the racetrack to the road, and this nation’s way forward does not hinge on decades-old technology. We need new, and we need innovation.”
This comes at a time when automakers around the world, most notably Audi and Honda, have curtailed their racing operations, and when NASCAR has already felt the pinch in the form of reduced team spending. Withdrawing from America’s most popular automobile racing series should save more than $250 million between GM and Chrysler, a significant amount in light of the billions both car makers are getting from the government.
The president realizes this is at best a controversial call, especially in states such as Virginia and North Carolina, where NASCAR is wildly popular. But a White House source who spoke on the condition of anonymity said that Obama only carried a couple of those states anyway, and then only by the thinnest of margins. The statement continues:
“This is an obvious cut to make, but it is not an easy one. This administration is not ignoring the tremendous sentimental value and emotional appeal NASCAR holds for so many Americans. But now is not the time for sentiment and nostalgia; now is a time for decisive financial action. If our automotive industry is to emerge from this recession intact, then these difficult decisions must be made.”
Management at the Motorsports divisions of Chevrolet and Dodge are hoping that the move is only temporary, and they expect to resume racing in NASCAR as soon as they feel their corporations’ obligation to the federal government has been paid in full.
NASCAR officials, meanwhile, have released no official statements in reaction to the president’s directive, but sources say series president Mike Helton and team managers are are considering the option of letting other manufacturers fill the slots vacated by Chevrolet and Dodge. Given the company’s recent interest in motorsports and the steady cash-flow and V-8 engine provided by its new Genesis model, some speculate that NASCAR will invite Hyundai to into NASCAR’s “good old boys” fraternity. “Toyota tore down the wall for foreign manufacturers in our sport, ” a NASCAR source says. “First they got their foot in the door through the Craftsman Truck series, and now they are very competitive in Cup racing.”
The departure of the Chevrolet and Dodge brands would leave Ford the lone domestic icon against a pair of Asian makes in America’s most popular racing series. Many wonder, however, how long NASCAR could remain at the top of America’s racing heap without two of its most storied participants.
- JK
Steve Maley
KnightsofMalta
Dan Spencer
Moe Lane
Dan McLaughlin
Now this IS a cause for revolution; to the barricades!
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 9:58AM EST (link)I don’t think some effete Yankee liberal has any idea what he has just done.
In Vino Veritas
Why would he do this? He's a big fan and he's on the Pit crew of his favorite team...
speciallist (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:40AM EST (link)Interesting pic.
phxg (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:59AM EST (link)I guess we shall see all federal government sponsorships canceled.
It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it. –Aristotle
Maybe his intent is sabotage!
speciallist (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:14AM EST (link)Awesome Awesome Awsome
Alberta (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:36AM EST (link)AAA awesome. I remember my buddy did a school project on this when we were in the 5th grade. Ill Communication? Dope cd.
Sir, my concern is not whether God is on our side; my greatest concern is to be on God’s side, for God is always right.
Abraham Lincoln
yes.
eylerwerve (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 2:47PM EST (link)great song.
Thanks for this
eylerwerve (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 9:59AM EST (link)Given the inevitable intense emotions around this issue (Government kills NASCAR!), this is a nice straight news piece. Thanks.
not - nt
Mike gamecock DeVine (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:00AM EST (link)Mike DeVine’s Examiner.com, Charlotte Observer and The Minority Report columns
“One man with courage makes a majority.” – Andrew Jackson
har har har
eylerwerve (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 2:47PM EST (link)Obama Doesn't
youthgrunt (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:02AM EST (link)win the NASCAR vote anyway.
Stupid move. This, by itself, may give the Republicans the midterm elections. It would help if we do a good job with a coherent message, but politically idiotic moves by the Administration will do.
Who will be "left" to buy GM products?
6eorge Jetson (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:07AM EST (link)Republican buyers will boycott and switch to Ford/Toyota/Honda.
Liberals are too snobish to buy them to begin with.
So the UAW gets to sell weenie cars to itself.
Oh, that’ll work out well.
OK, this is an April Fools Day Joke....right??
USNJIMRET (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:10AM EST (link)Even though I went to the car and driver linked article, and the author seems to be a real car and driver writer, is the Oval Office resident really this stupid?
I fear he is, but surely even his megalomania hasn’t so infected the entire White House gang that they can’t see what this is going to cause, really?
And no, I am not a fan of NASCAR, take it or leave it as far as I’m concerned.
I just find the idea of willfully pissing off so many people a little hard to believe.
Even for the Liar in Chief.
I think so. :) nt
mom2oneson (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:12AM EST (link)I keep hoping that it is.
Steph C (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:18AM EST (link)If it’s not…
There are so many thoughts… and emotions… colliding at the thought that this is true.
And I’m no NASCAR fan.
“[I]f the public are bound to yield obedience to laws to which they cannot give their approbation, they are slaves to those who make such laws and enforce them.” –Candidus in the Boston Gazette, 1772
Hillbilly Politics
Nothing at all about it on the NASCAR.COM home page....hmmm...NT
USNJIMRET (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:23AM EST (link)Click the link [nt]
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:29AM EST (link)“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Good thing I looked at the calendar first -nt-
civil truth (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:14AM EST (link)The greatest evil…is conceived and ordered (moved, seconded, carried, and minuted) in clean, carpeted, warmed, and well-lighted offices, by quiet men with white collars and cut fingernails and smooth-shaven cheeks who do not need to raise their voice. Hence, naturally enough, my symbol for Hell is something like the bureaucracy of a police state or the offices of a thoroughly nasty business concern. -C.S. Lewis
http://www.gmsplace.com/
Click the link people....nt
Aaron Gardner (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:17AM EST (link)conform and celebrate diversity….or else!!!
“We’d be much better off if We The People had desired small government enough to keep it.” acat
Follow @Aaron_RS
This was done so his car czar wouldn't have to get shots.
Brian Hibbert (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:18AM EST (link)We all know that you shouldn’t go to a NASCAR event unless you’ve been properly vaccinated.
Candidate for Trustee of Illinois Central College
Socialism doesn’t work. It looks nice on paper, but it’s been tried and it’s failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
Proud member of the V.R.W.C.
Take back our party!
Check out Unified Patriots
Dude that's just not cool.
Maggie_in_Indiana (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:43AM EST (link)I go to about 5 races a year and haven’t infected anybody I know of yet. And yes I’m a Jeff Gordon fan,always have been always will be. Die hard ,to the core, it’s in my blood Nascar fan. Obama is a real jerk . If this an April fools you almost gave me a heart attack,if not I need a doctor.
Maggie in Indiana
LOL
cwilliams (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:54AM EST (link)LOL
—————————–
!!! NEVER FORGET !!!
GW BUSH and HIS* GOP
—————————–
-RON PAUL 2012-
Maggie, that was a reference to an old story.
Brian Hibbert (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 3:02PM EST (link)The Democrats recommended their staffers get immunized before going to a NASCAR race.
And yes, I used it as a joke, but the Democrats were serious when they recommended the shots.
Candidate for Trustee of Illinois Central College
Socialism doesn’t work. It looks nice on paper, but it’s been tried and it’s failed miserably every time (usually accompanied by widespread death and suffering).
Proud member of the V.R.W.C.
Take back our party!
Check out Unified Patriots
We need to bump
mom2oneson (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:19AM EST (link)this off before Kenny sees it!
If you see Kenny walking around...with his guns...
speciallist (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:42AM EST (link)let him in on it…..
Somebody better get to Kenny before he sees it;
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:49AM EST (link)he’ll launch like a bottle rocket. Sad to say, when I saw the headline, it didn’t surprise me at all and I didn’t even question it until I looked at the linked article. Actually it was the Dale Earnhardt #3 that was a composite of a Nationwide car with a Chrysler grill that hung me up. Messing with the 3 Car is pretty close to sacrilege.
In Vino Veritas
Funny/Not Funny
MikeO Wednesday, April 1st at 11:13AM EST (link)Godwin’s Law makes any comparison to NSDAP “unacceptable” in public discourse, thereby giving would-be fascists a great deal of cover under this collective blind spot we now have.
April Fool’s Day does the same for anyone wanting actually to do something outrageous. They just have to wait until noon EDT, and most people across the country will have had their first gotcha by then.
This might be a good day not only to open the safe, but to fill the magazine on the 870 and keep it nearby.
Tonka
oregongal (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:20AM EST (link)I have also read that the mega-manufacturer, Tonka, may slide in to usurp the big three with CEO Casper Goldbug, of Richard Scary fame. Ah, the pain of it all. Heh
“Freedom has cost too much blood and agony to be relinquished at the cheap price of rhetoric.”
Thomas Sowell
Buckle Up!
briefsynopsis (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:25AM EST (link)There is going to be impact!
Have you Hugged a “Special Operations Warrior” today?
You know what they say...
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:30AM EST (link)Behind all humor is a thread of truth.
Tell me that ANY of you immediately thought “it is impossible that this is true.” I don’t think anyone on Redstate would be surprised to see such an edict from the Adminstration That Killed America.
“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
isn't that sad, we had to wonder nt
mom2oneson (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:32AM EST (link)My worry is that it will give them the idea that they should kill NASCAR.
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:32AM EST (link)Basically, a major race is a Republican political event. Why wouldn’t BHO and his comrades try to kill it?
In Vino Veritas
You know the saying "where there is smoke...?"
penguin2 (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:42AM EST (link)With all of the administrations edicts coming down, no one should be surprised at what eventually will be dictated, April Fool’s or no!
Resistance to tyrants is obedience to God. – Benjamin Franklin
When Good stands up to Evil, Evil blinks. – Vassar Bushmills
Conservative Education: Suggested Reading List
Activists Taking Action: Unified Patriots
Float the Balloon
briefsynopsis (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 3:10PM EST (link)gauge reaction, adjust, release.
Governance by Buffoon.
Have you Hugged a “Special Operations Warrior” today?
Exactly.
Crowe (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:42AM EST (link)It would have been a sure way to lose the 2010 and 2012 elections, which was the first reason I suspected it couldn’t be true… but it’s frightening that the first reason I came up with to think this a joke was Obama’s desire to be reelected, and not just plain sense.
“We sleep soundly in our beds only because
rough men stand ready in the night to visit violence upon those who would do us harmDear Leader Obama gives us leave to do so.”Honest to god I thought it was true..
yambles (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:55AM EST (link)I wouldn’t have put it past them. They find a new way to amaze me every single day, so this would have lockstep with what he’s been doing!
-Relieving oppression on a daily basis-
Damn
ATLconservative Wednesday, April 1st at 11:20AM EST (link)Hook, line and sinker.
It’s amazing what you can make your self believe when you WANT it to be true.
Feeling like a dumbass. But, in my defense, I wouldn’t be surprised if it WERE true.
Never thought this day would come
aesthete (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:36AM EST (link)when a president of the US would control all things big and small in a corporation, right down to the ability of a car company to participate in races. I don’t even like NASCAR, but this is really stupid.
The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice – G.K. Chesterton
Oh, hehe, should have clicked the link
aesthete (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:43AM EST (link)n/t
The act of defending any of the cardinal virtues has today all the exhilaration of a vice – G.K. Chesterton
FORD Number 1
Michael DeWeese (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:38AM EST (link)Yea
Brain Dead Republican
Good one Josh
WarEagle01 (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:52AM EST (link)You had me going for a little while, then I realized what day it is.
“A wise, doughy leg with rich tingly experiences will always reach better conclusions than will a more tanned, muscular leg that hasn’t felt those thrills.” –Chris Matthews’ Leg
“The alternative to the awful extremity of abortion is the indispensable joy of introducing this flawed world to someone who might make it better.”–John Hayward (AKA Dr. Zero)
The first clue
Josh Painter (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:11AM EST (link)should have been the “April Fools” tag. A much more subtle one as the substitution of -JK (Just Kidding) for my customary -JP sig at the bottom of the diary. Clue #3, as several have pointed out, was to follow the link to Car and Drive.
The crew at C/D has always been a cheeky bunch, and their sense of humor is unique. I still remember how their comparo between Pontiac GTO and Ferrari GTO made a lot of purists’ heads explode decades ago.
Even Road & Track had a funny bone, as their series of Cyclops spoofs were always good for a chuckle.
Until President Oldsmobama drops the green flag at Taladega, Happy April Fools, everyone!
- JP
“An armed society is a polite society” – Robert A. Heinlein, “Beyond This Horizon” (1942)
the tag was my clue
mom2oneson (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:14AM EST (link)I don’t know anything about cars or racing!
ha ha I have to go lay down now. n/t
Maggie_in_Indiana (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:47AM EST (link)n/t
Maggie in Indiana
We're dating ourselves, Josh. GTO v. GTO
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:53AM EST (link)is my first real recollection of CD. They used to have some awfully good writers and you could read it for more than the pictures, so to speak. I still like nice cars but not really at the enthusiast level anymore. Boats have taken over as my primary addiction.
In Vino Veritas
Art, I've been a C/D fan
Josh Painter (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 12:18PM EST (link)since when it was known as Sports Car Graphic. R&T was my second favorite, and Motor Trend was just a bad joke in those days,
My enthusiast days ended when federal regs and market factors killed off the great “bang for the buck” cars like the Plymouth Roadrunner. Had everything from a ’66 MGB to a ’68 Charger R/T with the 440 wedge in it.
I got into motorcyles, where there’s still quite a bang for the buck, but back problems have left me pretty much caged in my old age. If I ever get tired of my ’06 Fusion, I’ll probably get an F-150.
- JP
“An armed society is a polite society” – Robert A. Heinlein, “Beyond This Horizon” (1942)
I'd forgotten Sports Car Graphic;
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 12:37PM EST (link)that was just at the threshold of my interest in “sports cars.” Before that it had been Hot Rod and that stuff. R/T in those days, maybe still, was staid and stuffy and as I recall, C/D loved to make fun of them. My last real performance car was a ’68 911 Coupe built to ’67 911S specs except with the smaller Webers to try to control the S’s notorious plug fouling problems. I was cleaning out my shed last Fall and was going through an old rusty toolbox that I’ve had since those days and, yep, in that old toolbox was a set of fouled Bosch Platinums from back in the days when they were only used on 911s and race cars and cost $8 each. Sold it when I left ANC in ’84 and last I heard it was still there and still being kept up. Every now and then I get the hunger, but the boat can usually take care of that and then I make myself remember the smell of oil cooking on the exhausts of a 911 engine and remember the cost and hassle of splitting one of those engines in order to replace the O-rings in the oil return tubes. Don’t know if it has changed but back in those days the Germans couldn’t seal anything! If there was no other indication, you could always spot a Porsche owner’s driveway or garage by the oil spots.
In Vino Veritas
Ya know...
Josh Painter (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 4:22PM EST (link)After re-reading the R&T Cyclops retrospective, it occurs to me that the Tata Nano doesn’t look that much different from the Cyclops as seen in Stan Mott’s R&T illustrations.
Now that’s kinda scary…
; – )
- JP
“An armed society is a polite society” – Robert A. Heinlein, “Beyond This Horizon” (1942)
When you ride alone, you ride with Hitler
RoscoeP Wednesday, April 1st at 11:03AM EST (link)If it wasn’t April 1st, would any of you have been surprised by this story? Isn’t everyday April 1st at this point?
The real joke
The_Rebel (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 4:31PM EST (link)was on November 4, 2008. It was on all of us.
I'm No NASCAR Fan, But I Do Live In Georgia...
ATLconservative Wednesday, April 1st at 11:12AM EST (link)…and you may take their money, you may force their kids to attend schools of indoctrination, but you don’t mess with NASCAR.
This is a declaration of war.
It’s sad that it will take something like this to really get people mad. But hey, whatever works, right?
The article in question stating that it's an April Fool's Joke...nt
AceInTX (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:26AM EST (link)Props on RUSH!...well done Josh
speciallist (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:30AM EST (link)Happy April 1st
Don't We Kind of Jump the Gun
Joe Cor (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:54AM EST (link)in always thinking Obama has done something really, really stupid and this time it’s really, really going to hurt him? Where is the evidence that people will turn off to him in droves because he pulls GM out of NASCAR? This media might run stories about how risky this is, and what political courage Obama is showing in doing it, and he might benefit as a result. How many people vote based on NASCAR? Are Republicans, who couldn’t even bring themselves to criticize Obama at all for the first 5 weeks of his administration, who are ever so politely opposing his rush forward to socialism, suddenly going to go find their collective voice because he pulled GM out of NASCAR?
The fact is with the media we have, and the milktoast opposition the Republicans are offering, Obama doesn’t need to be that smart. Has he done anything that smart so far? Have his approval numbers tanked as a result?
Hi, I'm here on the Crackberry . . . . . .
Kenny Solomon (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 11:55AM EST (link)Great read, Josh !
I look at the NASCAR news sources multiple times daily. While Josh’s writing is far and above superior to any of the April Fool’s Day items out there, this scenario is more than plausible given the nature of nationalization going on now.
In fact, I don’t doubt for a nano-second that at least one or two very senior people within the current anti-American / anti-freedom administration actually thought out the same thing.
Will they soon force the US auto manufacturers out of ALL sponsorships, not just NASCAR and sports ? I’m guessing it’s about a 75% chance to happen if no foreign investments hit ‘the big three’…..Like the pretty-much-mandate that Fiat takes Chrysler.
———-
This is NOT an April Fools thing:
Jamie McMurray (“my driver”) is caught up in the Stanford Capital mess and may have serious issues to deal with regaring his ability to pay his quarterly taxes by April 15th and meet his portion of the #26 car team payroll, along with monies designated for his Autism Speaks Foundation.
His attorney filed a motion in federal court (Texas) to request that Jamie’s accounts set up under Stanford be unfrozen. No idea on the current status of the appeal.
Jamie’s not the only NASCAR person caught like this and other sports names are involved too, for allot more money than Jamie has in the system.
———
Here’s a thought: Cerberus Inc. Owner of Chrysler. Betcha yu don’t know another industry Ceberus owns at least a controlling stake or major investment in more than one company ?
Firearms and ammunition.
Do your own research as to what names and then watch the administration go after Ceberus……. Probably nice and quiet-like too.
Y’all have a good day now, ya hear ?
There goes Bushmaster and Remington.
Achance (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 12:02PM EST (link)That company has way too many Republicans and owns a bunch of waaay uncool companies. The Democrats will do their best to destroy it or make it pay extortionary tribute to the Ds.
In Vino Veritas
Daytona 500 replaced
Common_Cents (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 12:12PM EST (link)with Obama 500, people on mopeds, light rail, and solar powered cars, all painted white to reduce A/C load you know,
However, it will be a week long event in order for everyone to finish 500 miles.
Obama=Golfer in Chief, Leading from,
behind, the Back Nine.Leaders don’t create movements. Movements create leaders. Get involved. Your future depends on it.
Govt “invests” YOUR tax money for POLITICAL return rather than economic return.
Hahaha - 5! [nt]
Bill S (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 4:09PM EST (link)“It’s such a fine line between stupid, and clever.” – David St. Hubbins
Personally, I'm wondering how long it'll take them to try to bring back the 55mph speed limit. (n/t)
Finrod (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 12:59PM EST (link).
Let’s get down to brass tacks here. How much for the ape?
oy the April Fools thing didn't even occur to me
AKSteveB (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 4:57PM EST (link)until I went through the replies, don’t know if this reflects on me or the times we’re in.
Hell is other people – Sartre
other people wondered too!
mom2oneson (Diary) Wednesday, April 1st at 10:38PM EST (link)http://buzz.yahoo.com/buzzlog/92422
April Fooled: NASCAR Hoax Causes Web Frenzy
by Claudine Zap
April 1, 2009 03:05:41 PM
1,000 Votes Sure, April Fools’ Day comes but once a year, and some silly stories have been making the rounds. (Stairmasters in the NYC subway? Brad and Angelina married? Really? No.) But one thing is now clear: Keep the jokes away from NASCAR.
All Car and Driver magazine tried to do was drive a little levity into the auto industry bailout with a prank. The serious publication ran a joke story that announced that Obama had ordered Chevrolet and Dodge out of NASCAR if they wanted to keep their federal funds. For a brief web-fueled moment, NASCAR fans had to imagine a future of cheering on Japanese cars. Or worse, French ones. The horror.
Immediately, the Internet went crazy, with searches on “obama nascar” accelerating in Search and zooming across Twitter. Although the story was clearly marked a hoax, Car and Driver eventually pulled the fake story and apologized for going “too far.”
Not to worry, NASCAR fans: Nobody’s pulling out of NASCAR. Yet. As Automobile magazine’s blog noted nervously, “Let’s just hope that the auto task force doesn’t read this and get any ideas