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DEL.ICIO.USRubbing fenders with religion
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Jeff Schultz
If the separation between church and state has gotten a little blurry in recent years, at least it’s not NASCAR. Because the separation between church and pits done blowed up a long time ago.
A publisher that hawks books on Scientology is sponsoring a driver on NASCAR’s late-model weekly circuit in California. Great. I figure it’s only a matter of time before other religions jump into the water (holy or otherwise).
I just want to be there when the Havoline/Nation of Islam Chevy rolls into Talladega.
You think it’s nasty when Tony Stewart and Kurt Busch slam fenders? What’s going to happen when the Israel and Hamas-sponsored Dodges come barreling out of turn two?
I look down the pavement and see the Roman Catholic Church/Hickory Hams Ford. I see Scientologists, Jews, Jews for Jesus, Hari Krishnas (cool paint job), Methodists, Baptists, Southern Baptists, North-by-Northwest Baptists and Episcopalians. I possibly see Agnostics, but they’re leaving their options open. I see them swapping paint in the grand daddy of all points races. Just gimme that Old Time Religion 500.
“It sounds like a South Park episode,” said Larry DeGaris.
Dude. They’re killing more than Kenny. Must preaching intersect with my beer and brat?
DeGaris is the director of the Center for Sports Sponsorships at James Madison University. He has done studies on NASCAR sponsorships and has heard the latest: Kenton Gray, who competes on a late-model NASCAR weekly circuit in southern California, will compete Saturday night at little Irwindale Speedway with a new sponsor: Bridge Publications and its book, “Dianetics,” written by the late L. Ron Hubbard of Scientology fame (or infamy).
DeGaris said while publicity could help book sales, he wouldn’t expect it to lead to religious converts. His analogy: “NASCAR fans love Chevy, but a lot of them drive Toyotas. Why? Because they think Toyotas are better.”
NASCAR doesn’t seem to have a problem with any of this. It allowed Bobby Labonte to have, “The Passion of the Christ” painted on his car. It allowed Morgan Shepherd to compete for the “Victory in Jesus Racing Ministries.” NASCAR balked at his initial paint job, but eventually allowed him to have “Racing With Jesus” painted on the hood.
“If we felt like there was something inflammatory, we would get involved,” said Jim Hunter, NASCAR’s vice president of communications. “When you start trying to legislate morals and philosophy, it’s a slippery slope.”
But isn’t promoting religions equally slippery?
Hunter acknowledged NASCAR has taken heat before for allowing beer and hard liquor companies to sponsor cars. He admitted, “Religion possibly is the most inflammable” sponsor of all.
Flammable. But not inflammatory. I’m lost.
A little weekly race at Irwindale’s half-mile oval has never received so much attention. The track’s general manager, Robert DeFazio, has heard from local and national media. “It’s obviously gotten a lot of national attention, but we’re a non-denominational operation,” DeFazio said.
But Saturday at Irwindale is “Allstate” night, not Scientology night. (Those good hands are not the cold dead ones of L. Ron Hubbard.)
Scientology, around since 1950, has gained a following in Hollywood. The most famous follower is the couch-jumping Tom Cruise. So. Can we expect Cruise to astral project to Irwindale to cheer for his fellow Kenton Gray, a fellow Scientologist?
“No, Tom hasn’t called,” DeFazio said. “Actually, I guess he wouldn’t call. His people would call. But they haven’t called, either.”
Mark McKinstry, a spokesperson for Bridge, stated this obvious: “I want to sell books,” adding, “Will this appeal to everybody? Probably not.”
Hubbard was 74 when he died in 1986. He was either a visionary or a whackjob, depending on, well, your religion.
According to the online encyclopedia, Wikipedia: “When he died, the Church of Scientology announced Hubbard had deliberately ‘discarded the body’ to do ‘higher level spiritual research,’ unencumbered by mortal confines.”
And of course, that higher-level spiritual research has led him … to Irwindale.
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By Mark
June 9, 2006 08:20 AM | Link to this
I am so sick of all religions, look what its doing to the world.Nascar would take any sponsor who has money.I use to really like this sport , but everytime you turn arond rules change etc…people cheat, even in times when they know better,I guess I just remember usally the best car won .
By EG
June 9, 2006 10:02 AM | Link to this
Jeff, something that always comes to my mind when speaking of religion in sports and that was watching and listening to David Pollack sitting in his locker after a Georgia loss saying something to the effect “God didn’t want us to win today.” Instead of taking the responsibility of poor play and execution this kid blames god for the loss. I have no animosity for anyone and their spiritual beliefs but I do take offense to someone blaming a “higher being” for a person or a team’s wins and losses. So what’s next? I can see the headlines now….. Barry Bonds said Jesus made the Juice and told me to do it for the good of baseball and all of mankind. Who knows, maybe Dale Earnhardt said one too many cuss words that fateful day in February in Daytona. Yeah right!!
By Warren
June 9, 2006 10:22 AM | Link to this
Hey Jeff your column here is beginning to fade, Religion and NASCAR? and before that air sickness bags?
In a city like Atlanta sports really must suck to be able to get away with columns like that?
Maybe you should just sit back and watch the Mavericks vs the Heat…or even the French Open Tennis…But then again writing about the NBA Finals might be too much for the local fans when they watch an ex-Hawk (Jason Terry) win the Championship! So maybe you should write about tennis. Atlanta is the best Tennis Town in the country!
By steve in virginia
June 9, 2006 10:35 AM | Link to this
NASCAR is non-denominational? I haven’t heard a Scientologist (or Wiccan) give the obligatory prayer before the gentlemen start their engines.
By Lisa Fowler
June 9, 2006 02:15 PM | Link to this
I have followed NASCAR for my entire life. I am proud that our sport not only allows religion but makes it a part of each race. I love the sport for the people involved. I love the people for the fact that they are CHRISTIANS (not religious). When we pray, we pray to God the father of Jesus Christ. We ask God to protect the drivers, crews and fans (even those that are there that do not believe.) You should spend time around these events and get to know the people involved, watch what they do with their earnings and how humble they are even though they earn millions. I thank God for allowing me to take part in this awesome sport with these incredible people and wish that all of you that feel differently would just go to a football game.