Military Services Tap NASCAR Market

[IChing]

By JOHN ZENOR
AP Sports Writer

Sr. Master Sgt. Thomas Kichline sees "a tremendous amount of similarities" between NASCAR and the Air Force. Both have high-powered vehicles run by highly efficient teams who can pack up and relocate in a hurry.
But that's not why the Air Force sponsors Ricky Rudd's Nextel Cup team.
"It's our target market," said Kichline, the Air Force's superintendent of motorsports.
Yes, the Air Force does have a superintendent of motorsports.

The Army is the biggest spender, while the Marines have the longest stint as primary sponsor of a NASCAR team among the military services at six years. The Army spends $16 million a year on everything from its sponsorship of NASCAR and Nemechek's team to running an interactive area at races that draws 35,000-40,000 leads per year, according to Col. Thomas Nickerson, the Army's national advertising director.>>>snip

He said that price tag, while hefty, accounts for just over 6 percent of the Army's total advertising budget.
"It makes good business sense for the Army to help the Army reach our recruiting goals," Nickerson said.>>>>snipo

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/C/CAR_NASCAR_MILITARY?SITE=MNMAN&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2005-06-02-13-12-48

[hadrons]

1. try selling this to NASCAR chickenhawks ....

Mortar attack injures five members of 48th Brigade (at Base Shopping Ctr)

CAMP STRIKER, Iraq - Five members of the Georgia-based 48th Brigade Combat Team were injured in a Tuesday night mortar attack of the nearby Camp Liberty shopping complex.

....

http://www.macon.com/mld/macon/11792586.htm

not quite the mall here

[leftchick]

38. yes indeed...

I can't see the NASCAR chickenhawks lining up to become targets in Iraq. Another huge waste of US taxpayer $$$.

[saigon68]

54. NO BLACKS IN NECKCAR (nascar)

The only BLACKS at the race are the hoard of YOUNG BLACK MEN AND WOMEN with push brooms and plastic bags who clean up the dross and flotsam from the sunburned tank top wearing fat drunken crackers--- AFTER THE RACE.


NECKCAR IS more than 90% Lily white repukes.

[IChing]

2. I didn't know my taxes supported NASCAR

Hugely popular among young men, NASCAR has become a recruiting tool used by all the military services. The Air Force, Navy, Marines and Army all sponsor either Nextel Cup or Busch racing teams, blending in with the racing world's corporate staples of laundry detergents, cereals and beers. Ditto for the Coast Guard and Army National Guard.

[BiggJawn]

11. That's OK, but Lance Armstrong had to find a new sponsor...

The DOD can sponsor NASCAR teams, and that's Just Jake, but let the Postal Service sponsor a bicycle racing team and it's all of a sudden "Six Million Dollars a YEAR???? NOW I know why my stamps cost 37 cents!!! HARUMPF!!!!! Where's my phone! I'm calling my Congressman!"

But that's OK, because Jeff Gordon's car makes a LOT more noise and smoke than Lance's Trek, and we ALL know that the more smoke and noise you make, the bigger your Crank... And that's what it means to be a Murkan: Having a Big Crank...

I dunno 'bout the rest of you folks, but I tend to avoid products that have NASCAR stuff plastered all over the package. I figure if it appeals to a NASCAR fan, it's gotta be loaded with fat and cholesterol....

[benburch]

3. Now, what the heck is wrong with NASCAR?

If we ever want to win the government back, we HAVE to be nice to the working-class folks who are NASCAR fans! I think it is a harmless hobby, and appeals to any gearhead who ever rebuilt an engine.

[IChing]

4. So your taxes should support NASCAR?

[benburch]

6. No, my taxes support advertising on A car in NASCAR.

Not the whole darned thing. Get a clue.

The Armed Forces buy ad time. NASCAR is a moving billboard. No difference!

If your beef is that they are advertising, well, that is situational. You do not like how the military is being abused and neither do I. But don't bash NASCAR.

[IChing]

12. NASCAR is not my choice of beer, but it doesn't need governmental money

I like world rally racing myself, which doesn't get any military $



I like marathons, cycling, etc.

so don't bash

[benburch]

14. And if the military sponsored a cyclist?

You'd think that was equally wrong?

The choice here was of "bang for the buck", and I think a rational choice no matter what I think about the wisdom of joining the military at this time. (And you'd have to be nuts to sign up now!!!)

[gratuitous]

8. I wonder why the military doesn't sponsor art exhibits?

I mean, big billboard saying "The U.S. Army Presents Degas Retrospective" seen downtown for weeks on end in some large city. Wouldn't that be much more effective than an ad on a car whizzing by at 190 mph?

I wonder why the Army spends 6% of its advertising budget on one rolling billboard?

[benburch]

9. They do that because it has so many eyes on it.

When you buy ads you pay for eye-time.

Most people would not look at the fine-art billboard more than once.

But at a NASCAR event, people have their eyes glued to it.

[gratuitous]

16. Hanh?

Most people have their eyes glued to a car going by at 190 mph? I'll take your word for it.

But a banner out in front of a museum, along with print, television and radio ads in a large metropolitan area? Seems like more bang for the buck to me.

It still seems curious that the military is sinking so many advertising dollars into NASCAR, but we ought not to draw any conclusions from that (i.e., target audience, receptive listeners, public perception of relative intelligence and sophistication of NASCAR aficionados versus arts patrons, etc.).

[jamesinca]

29. IMHO if you go to a Degas Retrospective

you will not be as likely to join the military. They are more likely to get a person to sign up at a NASCAR event then at an art exhibit. Go to the mall where you may find a lot of naive kids that are unemployed, or go the opera where you wont get the time of day? I think they made a marketing decision and put it on NASCAR.

[NuttyFluffers]

53. ... and then coke came out my nose...

"The US Army Presents Degas Retrospective"
:rofl:

"USMC proudly presents an introspective look at Dada: When Art Breaks Free from Rules"

"The US Navy sponsors a Cultural Exposition of Chinese Dynastic Painting: from Economic Explosion of the Sung to the Insular Retrospection of the Ming, a spectrum observation of continuity."

heh, only in a far more fabulous world than I can imagine.

[TexasLawyer]

5. N.A.S.C.A.R. = Non-Athletic Sport

Centered Around Rednecks

(I read that one somewhere. I think it demeans rednecks, though).

[benburch]

7. It does.

Football is a non-athletic sport for those who watch...

[BiggJawn]

15. At least....

Most of us cycling fans also get out and ride ourselves.

Come to think of it, come Rush Hour, the NASCAR fans do the same around here...:)

[JRob]

21. I'd like to see anyone claiming racing (and esp NASCAR) is NON-Athletic...

attempt to do 500 miles (or 50 miles) at speed in an afternoon...

As a former pro driver in various classes of racing (including) NASCAR I assure you that performance driving is anything but non-athletic.

Also (in regard to the fans) a bicycle is somewhat less expensive than a race car.

[benburch]

37. Thanks!

I would have said something like that but as I can't speak to it first hand I didn't think I could defend it.

[JRob]

48. you're welcome

[annabanana]

10. Do they recruit at Nascar races?

They ought to do well there.. Set the table up right next to the beer concession, get them all teary-eyed and tipsy..

[benburch]

13. Anywhere there is a crowd.

Last year they were at our county fair.

And they had a table at the flea market near here last time I went.

You'll see them more and more as the manpower situation deteriorates, as it must.

[IChing]

17. Yes, it helps their missing signup goals

I have no problem with them setting up there, but supporting race teams I do.

from the article:
"We have had a lot of opportunities that we probably would have never had," Rudd said.

For the military, a track presence affords a chance for "belly-to-belly selling, where we get to talk to the recruit face to face," Kichline said.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

18. "'a tremendous amount of similarities' between NASCAR and the Air Force"

And one big difference that makes all similarities moot:

NASCAR drivers aren't paid to kill people.

[gordianot]

19. Ever notice they race cars which resemble Detroit Murikan made cars.

Actually the resemblence is only on the surface they only resemble Murikan cars. The parking lots are full of Toyota, Nissan, KIA, Honda etc. etc.. Good place to recruit so they can keep those sea lanes open for a steady supply of cars and OPEC oil.

[Baclava]

28. Skinner races NASCAR Toyotas

Mike Skinner ...that is...

[gordianot]

31. About the only thing made by Toyota on that may be the engine.

Who knows who made the rest of that truck.

[Baclava]

34. The same can be said for all the manufacturers...TRD Toyota races NASCAR

It's not just 'The Big Three' anymore, next stop...the Busch and Cup series. Toyota Racing has the money and the sponsors...it's just a matter of time... now, THAT will really shake the bubba's up...

[One_Life_To_Give]

35. The engine at least used to have to be sold in production models

Maybe it's not the case anymore. But it used to be that at least 50 production cars had to be sold with whatever basic engine was to be used. Hence the reason that ford sold fifty Lincoln Engine powered cars. So their 554 CID SUper Engine would be legal for use. Although that was the year that restrictor plates were introduced at the Superspeedways.

[Baclava]

39. Them's the old days...unless you have a 800hp engine in your car..

...and run your redline above 9000rpm and have a top speed +200mph.
Nothing is "stock" at the level of "stockcar" racing in the Nextel Cup Series cars. The sheetmetal is made to resemble a particular manufacturer...but, thats about it.

Of course, there are many tiers below the top....
...the ARCA racecars are more like production stock vehicles.

[JRob]

20. Also check out the Army's big $$$ online game...

with some 5.5 million registered user worldwide and over 25,000 servers...

http://www.americasarmy.com/

[fasttense]

22. Did you know NASCAR got its start through bootlegging?

Bootleggers had the fastest cars so they could outrace the cops. So they decided to have a true race instead of just running from the cops. The first race car driver to win the NASCAR was a bootlegger. Saw it on the history channel yesterday. You got love it.

[mitchum]

47. Yet today it's the most relentlessly "wholesome" (boring )...

"sport" out there. It's like freakin' Branson on wheels.

[leesa]

23. Excellent. The NASCAR crowd was instrumental in putting the fool

in office, they SHOULD be the ones recruited for their folly.

[Supersedeas]

25. on the taxpayer dime? Is the US Army car funded by taxpayer dollars?

[One_Life_To_Give]

26. Technically funded by the Team Owners

The Army pays the owners to have US Army written on the car while it races. Same as you pay a newspaper to run your ad. Just these cost a whole lot more and can move alot more product. The month after DW won Daytona in the Tide sponsored Chevy. Sales of Tide nationaly were up something like 20%.

[IChing]

30. yes your taxpaying dollars go to sponsorship and a car support article:

"The Army spends $16 million a year on everything from its sponsorship of NASCAR and Nemechek's team"

HOW MANY KEVLAR VESTS WOULD THIS BUY FOR OUR TROOPS?

[Hobarticus]

40. Who needs body armor, when you can recruit more bodies? n/t

[OhioBlue]

36. "The NASCAR crowd"

Do we really have to stereotype a group of people as large as NASCAR fans? I'm a NASCAR fan, voted for Kerry, donated to Dems, volunteered for Dem campaigns, etc. It makes me sick that NASCAR is becoming synonymous with Republican. It is probably counter productive to the efforts of Democrats to stereotype. The majority of the NASCAR crowd may be Repugs, but there are A LOT - hundreds of thousands that are or lean dem.

And, this is about advertising. It is much more involved than having a banner at an art exhibit or a sponsorship for a cyclist. In all reality, how much coverage would either of those really get? NASCAR is on almost every weekend, it has daily talk shows, magazines, etc. And, it isn't just a logo on a car that races by at 190 mph. The main sponsor is on their uniform, on the shirts, hats, etc. that people buy and wear of their favorite driver (plus calendars, model cars, koozies, etc.), Sponsors are integrated into the pre-race shows, thanked or mentioned in almost every interview, etc.

The situation is deeper that just a rolling billboard. In my house, I have several Mark Martin shirts, 2 hats, several replica cars, key chains, number 6 koozies, my boyfriend has several Dale Jr. shirts, hats, we have Jr. magnets and a memo board on the fridge, a Dale Earnhardt calendar, and a couple of posters in case we ever have a garage. I'm not endorsing the advertising and btw- I haven't bought anything with VIAGRA on it b/c I don't agree with the drug companies advertising either - but, IMO - it is well worth the advertising in a bang for your buck sense.

[Baclava]

42. It's all about hot-rods...you either get it or you don't......

I grew up building cars and engines...so I can relate.

My 'vettes were fun to blast around when I found an open track and had the chance, and burning up some tires is a blast - but, NASCAR is so far above and outta the sphere of most people lives, they can't relate...a NASCAR ride is a wet-dream for any true adrenaline junkie.

BTW - my #17 is having a bitch of year. Fucking Junior!

[OhioBlue]

43. Kenseth is having a bitch of a year.

Mark is on the fence. Bad luck always seems to find him. BTW - Martin is a co-owner of the 17, so I can't dis Matt. Also, my b/f is the Jr. fan. It doesn't bother me tho - Jr. is okay. I couldn't continue to date him if he was a Hendrick driver fan tho. lol.

[Baclava]

44. If it wasn't for bad luck...arghhhh

#6 is cool...this is Marks last year - then whatcha gonna do?
I'm trying to get to a race this year - maybe Bristol...yeah - it gets in your blood.

Daytona would be better...

[OhioBlue]

49. I'm looking at Jamie

thought I would just quit when Mark did, but now I'm thinkin' I might go with McMurray.

[Baclava]

50. Mark's not done racing...

He said he's going to race the truck races next year according to
Speed... Channel 607...my favorite.

[Bluebear]

52. I bet this shirt upsets you :(

[formercia]

24. Army also sonsoring Monster Truck shows

they like the whup 'em up, bang 'em up crowd.

[hector459]

27. They won't get many recruits from NASCAR...

I'd love to see a report of enlistments from this crowd. Just like the rest of the Republican hawks I suppose. And I love to watch the races.

[Sabriel]

32. Would it be OK if they did liquor and ciggie ads, too?

How about..."Brought to you by the Marines and Colt 45! Enjoy the show, folks!"

Free Marlboros carton when you fill out this Army interest survey!

GMAFB!

[VegasWolf]

33. Yes, they should show the Army video where the soldiers blow up the

Iraquis to hell and gone. Blood red, should appear
nice ont the cars.

[KamaAina]

41. Ricky Rudd is lap traffic

he used to be pretty good five, maybe six years ago. Now he's pretty much roadkill: 32nd in the point standings. You'd think the Air Force would at least get a contending driver -- but then again, the military is sponsoring the Washington Nationals' (27-26, tied for 3rd) home field...

[Zech Marquis]

45. rock bottom

for the Air Force to actuallt go out and BEG Nascar fans who only want to enjoy their races, not some military recruiters who can offer a free trip to Iraq. Or maybe they plan to get some peple who are half drunk and make them sign up, with all the noise of race cars drowning out their senses :eyes: I'm fluent in japanese, and in fact I wouldn't mind being an air force linguist in Japanese, with all the trouble Japan is having with China and North Korea you'd figure they would be banging on my door. Nope!

[mitchum]

46. That won't do a damn thing for their minority recruiting

[Name removed]

51. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Tesla]

55. Put a number on it!!!

And let them take a 30 pack, they'll do it!!!!!!
Make sure there is a "Hooters" sponsoring the food in the Mess tent.

[unhappycamper]

56. Recruits. Lots and lots of recruits. That's what I see.