Living The Dream: CNBC's Cramer Talks Money With NASCAR Drivers

CNBC's Cramer Talks With NASCAR Drivers During Show From Lowe's Motor Speedway

NBC last night aired “The American Dream With Jim Cramer,” which featured CNBC’s Jim Cramer talking money with NASCAR drivers Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Carl Edwards, Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears. The episode was filmed in May at Lowe’s Motor Speedway during the Coca-Cola 600 weekend. Cramer: “The hordes of fans making their pilgrimage to their most beloved tracks to see their favorite (NASCAR) drivers race 180(mph) represent the best cross-section of real America there is to find.” Cramer went around the track and garage areas talking about the positives of various team and NASCAR sponsors and the possible investment opportunities of each. Cramer said of Target, which sponsors the No. 41 Sprint Cup Dodge driven by Reed Sorenson: “Maybe you need a retailer in your portfolio. Look no further than NASCAR.” Cramer: “One of the reasons that I came to the unbelievable venue that is NASCAR is that there are brands everywhere and what I try to tell people is, ‘Find a brand, find a driver, get comfortable, do the homework.’”

Edwards Hits Up Cramer For Some Investment Advice During Appearance

DRIVING YOUR MONEY: Edwards told Cramer, “I need to understand where this marketplace is going. I think I’m like a lot of folks. I don’t know where to put my money.” Cramer: “I know right now is not a great time. When things aren’t great, I’m a buyer.” Cramer told Johnson, “I see a spirit of optimism here that I wish I saw in the rest of America.” Johnson: “If you really look at the exposure that corporate America gets from our racing … it’s a strong sport and our fans have shown time and time again that they’re brand loyal, and even in tough markets you have major corporations sticking it out. They won’t cut out their NASCAR programs.” Johnson said he “takes a lot of risk in my daily job so my portfolio is really conservative.” Cramer: “That’s a little more conservative than I want for people because you have some money coming in, but you’re doing it right.” Burton: “The smart young drivers put away (money) first, then play later” ("The American Dream With Jim Cramer,” NBC, 7/13). Cramer said “even the drivers needed education” on investing, adding, “We get people started in a way that will keep them from being poor first before we try to get them rich.” Cramer said “most of (the drivers) are too conservative” with their investments (“Today,” NBC, 7/13).