Pocky's Paddock
A NASCAR BLOG BY Bob Pockrass
An April Fools' joke that could become reality
FORT WORTH, Texas – When a writer thought it was funny to pen an April Fools’ Day story about President Obama ordering Chevrolet and Dodge out of NASCAR, the idea had to be to write something so absurd that people would know it's a joke.
What's wrong with that premise is the world of NASCAR is all about the absurd turning into reality. Dale Earnhardt Jr. leaving Dale Earnhardt Inc.? No more Petty Enterprises? A new owner changing the traditional hot dogs at Martinsville? The return of a wing on the back of the car? A crewman running halfway out on to the frontstretch grass to get a tire?
You get the idea. I make a living out of, in part, writing about absurd things that come true. And the idea of the manufacturers being forced out of the sport, while absurd two years ago, is something I've been monitoring for at least a year.
If the government told the manufacturers to get out of NASCAR if they want government loans, that shouldn't shock anyone. Sponsors already are wary of coming into the sport because of political pressure, and it wouldn't be surprising if the government questions the NASCAR sponsorship. The manufacturer executives say NASCAR works as a marketing platform, but these executives work for companies whose viability plans have just been rejected by President Obama.
Most of the teams should have their money already from the manufacturer this season, so if there is a pullout (and Chevy and Dodge don't have to continue their contractual obligations), teams wouldn't feel the cash impact until 2010. Of course, now is the time they would need to beginning to look for sponsorship to fill those voids.
This is not a laughing matter. Plenty of people's jobs rely on the manufacturers. And anyone who thinks it can't happen? That cruel joke could be on them in the future.
Bob Pockrass
Bob Pockrass began covering NASCAR in 1992, primarily covering short-track racing and events. He has been an associate editor at NASCAR Scene since 2003.
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Comments
6 responses to "An April Fools' joke that could become reality". Post a Comment.
gwen susie said:
Apr 2, 2009 at 6:06 PMNothing Obama has done so for has made any sense so no it would not be surprising at all!! It looks like the bigger the mess he can get the United States in is the way he is going! I just wish he would leave NASCAR alone!!!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportBob Koba said:
Apr 3, 2009 at 6:21 AMI think Obama has been leaving nascar alone.Everything he has been doing will help the economy in the long run.
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» Confirm Abuse ReportWorm Dirt said:
Apr 3, 2009 at 12:35 PMA few weeks ago at the Atlanta race, I was leaving the track and found a cop in the lot writing out a parking ticket. I says to him........ 'Come on, man, how about giving a racefan a break'? Of course, he ignored me and continued writing the ticket. I was still half-drunk, so I called him a 'Nazi'!!!! He glared at me and wrote ANOTHER ticket for having worn tires or something. So I got EVEN angrier and called him a 'doughnut eating Gestapo'!!!!! But, he just shook his head...... finished the second ticket, and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he wrote a THIRD ticket!!!!! Anyway, this went on for about 20 minutes. The more I abused him the more tickets he wrote. Personally, I didn't EVEN care. I came to the track with some friends who were parked about 500 feet away, and the car that he was putting the tickets on had a bumper sticker that said, 'Obama in '08'!!!!!! Yeeeeeeeeeeooooooooooooooowwwwwwwwwwwww!
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» Confirm Abuse Reportdavid larison said:
Apr 3, 2009 at 3:06 PMTHE SKY IS FALLING!! THE SKY IS FALLING!! WE'RE ALL DOOMED!!
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» Confirm Abuse ReportDustin Sunderman said:
Apr 8, 2009 at 3:26 PMI was talking to my Dad just now, and he is a talk radio listener, and heard today that Obama has stepped in and is dictacting what GM and Chrysler are able to put in to their Marketing Plan and has to approve the amount they budget for that specific marketing campaign. Could be that GM and Chrysler are no longer "allowed" to spend the same amount, if any, as a manufacturer and sponsor of NASCAR. Has anyone else heard anything similar?
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» Confirm Abuse ReportSam Steadman said:
Apr 8, 2009 at 5:51 PMWhy doesn't Obama stick to running the government. I did't see him criticizing banks for their naming rights to ball parks which are in the multi million dollars. Citi Field is one example, the new home of the Mets. This idiot is going to be a micro manager. We all know what happens when businesses are micro managed. The get so tied up they can't function. Gee, I just described the Federal Government.
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