Obama: NASCAR is a no-go, 10-4
President Obama’s cash advance bailout of America’s automobile industry giants has left a sour taste in the mouths of many. Why should financially irresponsible automakers that flood the market with metal hulks that lose value fast be allowed to spend the taxpayers’ money in ways that fail to fix the original problem?
The Mainstream Conservative Blogs like http://mainstreamconservative.blogspot.com/2009/04/obama-orders-gm-and-mopar-out-of-nascar.html say that President Obama is cracking down on yet another way GM and MOPAR have continued to abuse the public trust by using their money for purposes other than bailing out the brand. Obama says NASCAR participation and sponsorships by GM and Chrysler must end at the close of the current stock car season if the automakers hope to continue to receive government aid. Beyond the advertising for the automakers, the companies (and America itself) are not reaping the benefits of NASCAR technology, said Obama:
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. 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 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.
Save $250 million taxpayer dollars now
Automakers worldwide are cutting their racing operations in the face of plummeting sales and their own mismanagement. NASCAR itself has mandated reductions in team spending. With GM and Chrysler out of the picture, it is estimated that $250 million can be saved between them. Their departure will leave only Ford as the lone domestic name in NASCAR.
Oh, I bleed for you, NASCAR. I can think of nothing more boring than one of your Sunday telecasts. That $250 million (part of it my own) should no longer feed that which makes America mediocre.
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If the sponsorships weren’t working, I wonder why they didn’t cancel them long ago, like back in 04 and 05 when GM and Chrysler (and Ford) were all beginning to slip. That said, I certainly hope they don’t go bankrupt.
April Fool’s! Car and Driver pulled the story from their site late yesterday… apparently, it was TOO believable…
This just goes on to prove that you shouldn’t believe everything you hear. I love April Fool’s Day! It plays out as a great reminder to us all!