Just Shut the Hell Up!
Some of you may be aware of Jerry Bonkowski’s Yahoo Sports column and also have taken note of his weekly series Trading Paint: Green Flag where he interacts with NASCAR fans.
It’s always an interesting read in many respects, not the least of which the comical way (deranged some would say, including me, but I’m trying to be nice) some members of NASCAR Nation twist logic on its head or are completely void of common sense.
As a retired member of the U.S. Navy (1981-01) I noticed and took great umbrage to this comment by “Bonnie,” and am embarressed she is from my home state of Michigan:
I heard that the National Guard is one of several sponsors vying for the multimillion-dollar share of Junior’s new ride with Hendrick. My question: when one of the U.S. military outfits is sponsoring these cars, who is actually paying for it? Is this a prime example of our tax dollars at work? Corporate sponsorship I understand, but military, if paid for by taxpayer dollars, is totally out of line, in my opinion. Your input, Jerry?
Jerry answered her this way:
As a fellow taxpayer, I want my money going to worthy causes, not necessarily sponsorship of a race car. However, the Army, National Guard, Air Force, among others, have seen marked gains in recruiting new soldiers and sailors by sponsoring NASCAR teams. Without a military draft, the military has to find recruits somewhere, and NASCAR seems to be a good vehicle to drive
Yeah, advertise on TV, radio, print & outdoor but not on the side of a car on TV. sheesh
“Maybe she thinks there
They weren’t real? I must have missed my issue of the New York Times that day.
Given that this sponsorship is part of, not in addition to, the military’s recruitment appropriations I see no real problem with it.
Given the demographics of the NASCAR nation which are apparently skewed more to affluent populations these days, it’s a breath of fresh air to see the military looking beyond its usual “poor, needy and gullible” target populations. If Joe Nascar, with his SUV, 4 bedroom suburban home, bass fishing boat and suite of dirtbikes, sees National Guard on the side of a stock car, perhaps he might encourage Joe Jr. to look at that option, raising the “average family income” stat for military servicepeople by a miniscule amount.