Junior Johnson blogs for Obama

ryanteaguebeckwith — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 12:33:55 -0400

Junior Johnson is getting out the word for Barack Obama.

In a post on BlueNC, the Hall of Fame NASCAR driver says that he is the last person you'd expect to be promoting the Democratic presidential candidate.

"I've voted for many Republicans over many decades. And let’s face it — NASCAR car drivers and Democrats don't usually mix," he writes. "But then again, no one expected my state of North Carolina to be a toss-up a few days before the election, either."

He says that he supports Obama because he will fight corporate lobbyists, help small business owners and protect Second Amendment rights.

"I've been in a lot of races in my life," he writes. "But I do believe this may be the most important one yet. Because if we put the pedal to the mettle for this final turn, when that checkered flag waves on November 4th we'll win something far greater than any trophy — we'll win the change our beloved country needs, and the future all of our children deserve."

NASCAR driver Richard Petty has endorsed John McCain.

Perdue's Nascar fundraiser

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:23:49 -0400

A group of Nascar notables is raising money for Beverly Perdue.

The Oct. 11 fundraiser at Lowe's Motor Speedway in Concord will take place shortly before the qualifying rounds for the Bank of America 500. Hosts include Nascar president Mike Helton and vice president Marcus Smith and retired driver Junior Johnson.

Tickets to the event range from $250 for an individual to $2,000 for a "Pole Position" and $4,000 for the "Winner's Circle." It lasts from 5 to 7 p.m.

The other hosts are racing promoter H.A. "Humpy" Wheeler, team owners Rick Hendrick and Felix Sabates, metals supplier Greg Fornelli, racetrack owner Steve Earwood and Dale Earnhardt's daughter, Kelley Earnhardt-Elledge.

Sabates is an interesting name on the list. A registered Republican, he is a major Nascar political donor and GOP supporter who gave to Gov. Mike Easley in 2000 and 2004.

Update: It's not Perdue's first time at the speedway. As a state senator in the 1990s, she did a lap as a passenger in a Nascar racecar.