Fan Zone
A NASCAR BLOG BY Carolyn Brewster
Car decal goes too far
I could not help but notice the decal on the window of the car in front of mine. It was a knock off of the "Calvin and Hobbs" cartoon with the fake Calvin wearing a No. 24 shirt. And what he was doing to the No. 2 beside him, well … we've all seen variations of the decal before. The sticker is clearly not officially licensed by NASCAR and it's not one Jeff Gordon would personally endorse.
There was nothing else on the back of this truck - no bumper sticker or gun rack. The decal was custom-made since I can't imagine it being sold at the track or even your local automotive parts distribution chain. Clearly the man had to put forth some effort to obtain this "artwork."
My question is this: How much must you disdain a driver to accessorize your vehicle so graphically? There are some Sprint Cup drivers I like less than others, but not enough to be so hateful. Does he drive that truck and decal to church? Holy cow, man. Buy a 24 sticker and leave it at that.
Carolyn Brewster
Carolyn grew up an army brat. It is her personal mission to live up to all stereotypes of the obnoxious NASCAR fan and to raise her children to follow in her footsteps.
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Comments
24 responses to "Car decal goes too far". Post a Comment.
Worm Dirt said:
Jan 24, 2009 at 9:05 PMCongratulations Carolyn!!!! You just played right into the hand of the buffoons who display these types of decals!! Sheesh... You do realize that the main purpose of these types of decals is to trigger the PREDICTABLE outrage of the overly-sensitive and easily-offended don't you? Why stoop to their level to even dignify these types of things by letting it get to you? Whatever..... And by the way, just what do you mean by the "gun-rack" comment??????? I don't get it. If you mean what I think you mean, then isn't that being JUST AS SMALL-MINDED as the fools with the decals????? Wow....
Buddy Graham said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 9:28 AMYeah what worm dirt said. If you can't find anything to write about by doing research, why don't you go make some cookies or something? NOBODY CARES IF YOU ARE OFFENDED!
Buddy Graham said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 9:29 AMYeah what worm dirt said. If you can't find anything to write about by doing research, why don't you go make some cookies or something? NOBODY CARES IF YOU ARE OFFENDED!
Becky Nolan said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 1:23 PMThese decals are available on EBAY and probably other internet auction sites for those that are interested. And no I don't sell them. Look up "PEE on" and the driver you want. Personally I think they are kind of funny and yes the gun rack comment was way out of line. Not all NASCAR fans that would think these are funny would have a gun rack in their vehicle. I consider myself a redneck and I have never owned a truck gun rack!!!! (or a cute PEE on sticker, couldn't decide whether to have Carl PEE on Jeff or JR)
teresa beachler said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 2:51 PMThese stickers are available at most vending tents at the track every weekend. They are Calvin peeing. They have only been out there now about 15 years. jeez open your eyes more Carolyn!!!
Barbara Schmitt said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 4:03 PMYou are right be be offended by inappropriate decals! Go, girl!
Barbara Schmitt said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 4:06 PMI needed a proof reader. This is the corrected comment. You are right to be offended by inappropriate decals. Go, Girl!
terry ruth said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 4:23 PMI don't read this site often anymore...the writers are such lame patroons...but when did they stoop to this clueless Gerber brained soccer mom ......geeezz...
Bernadette Motherway said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 9:01 PMShort and to the point! Way to go Carolyn!
Mike Smith said:
Jan 25, 2009 at 10:39 PMThese stickers are also a trademark infringement since they use the Calvin likeness without permission.
teresa beachler said:
Jan 26, 2009 at 9:02 AMOh wel, I dont see anyone stopping them, they been selling them for years, Im sure nobody is worried about $3 !!!
Sarah Oxfurth said:
Jan 27, 2009 at 2:49 PMUm..seriously? THAT upsets you? Just about everyone knows it's a fun-n-games thing. The bottom line is in NASCAR, everyone has to have someone they "love to hate." Having a hero is no fun without a villain. Everyone has different villains, and everyone has different heros. So this guy's hero is Gordy, and his villain is Busch-who cares?? I think the Calvin decals are funny-don't own one and probably wouldn't because it's just not "me" but I think they're funny and if you're such a prude that you can't handle THAT, I'm not sure how you manage to live in this world.
Sarah Oxfurth said:
Jan 27, 2009 at 2:50 PMMike, I'm sure they have some little difference that makes them not Calvin that keeps them out of court. For example, in this one, the No. 24. Calvin doesn't have a 24. Just because it's a stick figure style doesn't make it "Calvin." So, I imagine that's why they haven't had any kind of charges or lawsuits brought.
john arturi said:
Jan 28, 2009 at 5:16 PMWaste of typing
john arturi said:
Jan 28, 2009 at 5:17 PM)))
Howard Englishman said:
Jan 28, 2009 at 6:47 PMAll this over a sticker
Jean Anderson said:
Jan 29, 2009 at 3:50 AMWhile I read Carolyn's blog, it made me laugh thinking of the all the ridiculus bumperstickers, gun racks and decals I've seen on cars. I used to drive I-40 4 hours a day and saw my share. But what struck me the most was the responses to this blog. Each one has things that just made me laugh harder. Buddy - Carolyn is a columnist - they write opinions. A journalist researches for stories. Very few of you must read Carolyn's articles, if you did you'd know that she's extremely sarcastic. I know Terry states that she doesn't read these but could find the time to come up with the Gerber brained soccer mom comment- again appreciate the sarcasm. I'm sure it had Carolyn rolling. Obviously you all need to GO BACK TO WORK!!! I'll bet Carolyn makes great cookies!!
Bill B. said:
Jan 29, 2009 at 12:51 PMSo what about the decals. Just about everyone of the top drivers has "Calvin' doing something to their name or number.
john arturi said:
Jan 29, 2009 at 2:09 PMright on Bill
Gregory Howe said:
Jan 30, 2009 at 3:57 PMSome things are truly better left unsaid, your blog is NOT one of them.
Donnie Sessions said:
Feb 3, 2009 at 4:31 PMTalk about "Much ado about nothing"! Carolyn's columns are usually informative and geared to the casual fan. I always read it with 'tongue in cheek' as it's intended. Whether I agree with her opinion or not, she has right to express it, as do you guys have the right to express yours. If it bothers you, don't read it! If you really have nothing better to do, fill this comments space with endless dribble... By the way, Carolyn, I miss seeing your column in the printed Scene!
Erin Miller said:
Feb 6, 2009 at 12:59 AMI couldn't believe my luck to find that you are still a columnist for NASCAR. I lost touch with you and couldn't figure out how to find you. Yeah for NASCAR and your ongoing work! Email me at CEKSLMILLER@YAHOO.com
gary said:
Feb 7, 2009 at 4:31 PMbefore the start. unless im seeing things? i thought i seen 2 pace cars?.. 1 car is in front of half of the line up, then another car is in front of a second group of cars, have you seen this. if so why the change from 1 pace car.
gary said:
Feb 7, 2009 at 4:36 PMbefore the start. unless im seeing things? i thought i seen 2 pace cars?.. 1 car is in front of half of the line up, then another car is in front of a second group of cars, have you seen this. if so why the change from 1 pace car.