Republican presidential candidate Rick Santorum is sponsoring the No. 26 Front Row Motorsports Ford driven by Tony Raines during tonight's Daytona 500, a day before the "pivotal primary election in Michigan," according to Nate Ryan of USA TODAY. Santorum's "Made in the USA" slogan "will adorn the hood and quarter panels" of Raines' car. The former Pennsylvania senator called Raines following Saturday's practice session, and the two "chatted for 10 minutes." Raines: "I told him I was following the last few debates and he seems to be standing out. I think it's cool they take notice of us and have a presence in the race. ... There's probably going to be some people who don't like it, but for us, it's all positive." Ryan reported there is a "long history of politicians who have used stock cars to promote their campaigns." Former Virginia Gov. Mark Wagner "was a backer of cars at Richmond International Raceway and Martinsville Speedway," and former Democratic presidential candidate Bob Graham "was on a Roush Racing truck" in '04. Texas Gov. Rick Perry "sponsored the car of Texas native Bobby Labonte in the April 2010 race at Texas Motor Speedway" during his campaign for re-election (USATODAY.com, 2/25). Front Row Motorsports CMO Robin Johnson said, "We reached out to all the campaigns and Mr. Santorum's campaign was the one who responded first" (Daytona Beach NEWS-JOURNAL, 2/26). Santorum said on ABC's "This Week" yesterday, "I talked to (Raines) about a strategy. I recommended he stay back in the pack, you know, hang back there until the right time, and then bolt to the front when it really counts. So let's watch. I'm hoping that for the first, you know, maybe 300, 400 miles, he's sitting way, way back, letting all the other folks crash and burn, and then sneak up at the end and win this thing" (AP, 2/27). Raines is scheduled to start the race 41st (THE DAILY).
ROMNEY ALSO MAKES PRESENCE KNOWN: USA TODAY's Ryan noted Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney "made the rounds shaking hands" yesterday prior to the scheduled start of the Daytona 500. Romney addressed drivers, crew chiefs, team owners and execs from Sprint Cup Series sponsors in a pre-race meeting, saying, "This combines a couple of things I like best. Cars and sport. I appreciate the spirit of the men and women driving. This is a chance to look at the great qualities of the American spirit, it's quintessentially American. I love what you're doing and wish you the best" (USATODAY.com, 2/26). This marks the second straight year Romney attended the race (ORLANDOSENTINEL.com, 2/26). CBS News’ Dean Reynolds reported Romney "chartered a jet from Michigan to Florida for the Daytona 500, where a trackside, man-of-the-people photo opportunity awaited the candidate" (“Evening News,” CBS, 2/26). ABC News' David Curley noted Santorum is sponsoring Raines' car and Romney appeared at the race because “this is an important conservative crowd to Republicans, and the Republican race has been a lot like NASCAR, with different leaders, a bunch of bumping and passing” (“GMA,” ABC, 2/26).
