Full Throttle

I assumed it wouldn’t be long before various “protectors of children,” think tanks and those prone to be anti-everything weighed in on NASCARS recent decision to allow hard liquor advertising on it’s race cars. But I did expect more lag time. As the date on this Dallas Morning News article shows, it took only 24 hours.

“NASCAR’s cute Web site headline about the new deal with liquor ["Liquor's Quicker"] suggests that NASCAR is already adopting a cavalier and irresponsible approach to liquor promotion,” said a news release by the Center for Science in the Public Interest. “The point of this deal is to sneak rolling liquor ads onto network television, where millions of NASCAR’s underage and impressionable fans will see them.”

Jim Copple, director of the International Institute of Alcohol Awareness, agrees.

“The issue around alcohol and the sports industry has a direct effect on youth and youth consumption,” he said.

Oh well, the deed is done as they say. But I expect sometime during, say.., mid-season 2005 to start seeing various “studies” that “prove” the increased alcohol consumption of teens as a result of having Smirnoff Ice plastered all over Kurt Busch’s Ford.

Memo to the Center for Science in the Public Interest
From: Full Throttle editorial staff (that would be me, Marc)
RE “The point of this deal …”

Contrary to your assertion this isn’t some nefarious, underhanded way to “sneak” anything on the public airwaves, It was purely a business decision. Nascar big-wigs aren’t making surreptitious raids like Cold War spies attempting to turn your kids into drunken drooling slobs. That outcome is a result of spending more time researching and publishing worthless “studies” than being an actual parent.

Cheers,

Signed:
Full Throttle editorial staff

PS: Just so I don’t leave you with the idea that NASCAR is all beer swilling, shot drinking, idiots looking for the nearest “Two fer Tuesday” I remind you NASCAR did outlaw “Happy Hour.”

Bottoms-up
The Staff - again!