As elected officials seek to return to office in the mid-term cycle, the NASCAR demographic is again considered a must-have political base. With elections getting closer and closer as more politicians move more towards the middle, unlocking the NASCAR fan can be the key to winning and losing. Expect more politicians, pundits, scholars, and strategists to weigh in as November draws closer. Here's a hint: go to a race. Or better yet, read RPM Blog....

Ladies and gentlemen, it is that time of year again when the racing pundits get to either make fun of or connect the dots between an odd nexus: racing and wine. This weekend, NASCAR heads to heart of the wine country (although Napa is slightly better) for one of two road courses in the schedule. Trust me--nothing is funnier than seeing a Mercedes parked next to a camper truck in the dirt lots of Infineon raceway. Or the look on some Sunday driver's face on his way to pick up his case of Opus One realizing he has just entered the NASCAR vortex and has some serious gridlock ahead of him. The only odd thing is that the NASCAR race coincides with the launch of Gay Pride weekend in San Francisco. Coincidence...or new demographic?

In a great article that traces NASCAR’s extensive history of fathers, sons, and even grandfathers in families that race, Jerry Bonkowski pens a piece for Yahoo! Sportsjust in time for Father’s Day. Read the article and reminisce about the Earnhardts, Pettys, Allisons and many others and be proud of a sport that focuses on family. And give your dad a call to say thanks for being part of your life…Also check out Richard O’Brien’s piece on SI.com entitled “For This NASCAR Dad, Every Sunday is Father’s Day”.

Actor Brandon Routh, previously known best for his role in the TV show “Odd Man Out” (RPM Blog had never heard of it either) will get two huge honors. The first is a starring role in the sure-fire summer blockbuster Superman. The second, and the reason you are reading about him here, is the honor of being the Grand Marshall for the July 1st race at Daytona. We hope he wears his costume, since few will likely recognize him out of “uniform”. Here’s to breaking the dreaded Superman curse!

Showing they are open to sports that require footpower, not horsepower, World Cup has taken root in an unlikely place—NASCAR garages. Many of the divers and pit crew members have kids who play youth soccer, so seeing the world’s best play overseas might not come as much of a shock. Come Sunday, I am sure the TVs will be turned off and all eyes will be focused on the track, but people like John Andretti’s son and Mexican teammate Michael Jourdain might be using the picture-in-picture function on their TV to see if the Germans can win at home. Goooaaaal!!!

The next time you think about telling your kids to put down the video game controllers and get some fresh air, consider the story of Bad Coleman. While 18 year-old standout drivers are becoming more commonplace, few can boast that they honed their skills sneaking in video game racing between homework before he finally got behind the wheel at the ripe old age of 13. Since then, Colman has put in his time behind the wheel of anything that goes fast, but his story should inspire more than a few kids to pick up a NASCAR game—especially if it means they can wait to do their math problems and book reviews.

As if being part of the Bud Shootout, being in the best position to start a race, bonus points, and all other accolades that go along with winning the Budweiser pole were not enough, NASCAR and Anheuser-Busch are adding yet another bonus to the speedy stars--a limited edition Tissot watch valued at close to $1K. This is part of a parallel promotion of new Tissot NASCAR watches available to the general public starting at $295. Odd are, Tag Heuer pitchman Jeff Gordon will not be wearing one if he wins a pole--eBay anyone?

Sure, everyone who can read knows that Will Ferrell is starring in a NASCAR movie. Most people had heard that Britney Spears, before going brain-dead on Dateline, was going to star in a NASCAR movie. And even non-fans saw Tom Cruise in the days that he was an actor (and not a Scientology-spouting, Oprah-couch jumping lunatic) behind the wheel in Days of Thunder. But in a recent article, the LA Times reminds us of other gems: Wheel of Fortune, Days of Our Lives, and Family Feud to name a few. Can re-runs of these hidden classics on Speed be far behind?

Appropriately leaked on the eve of 6-6-06 comes news that Dianetics is sponsoring a racing team that will make the rounds on the NASCAR circuit using the slogan "Ignite Your Potential".While the notion of recruiting people--especially celebrities--as one of its core goals, the NASCAR pool of 75 million fans makes for an enticing pool from which to draw, RPM Blog is of the opinion that few NASCAR fans will find solace in Scientology. In a sport where Christians reign supreme, Jews for NASCAR seems more likely to appeal to the NASCAR fan than the teachings of L. Ron Hubbard. But at the same time, NASCAR fans respect the Constitution and presumably the freedom of religion spelled out in the document. Driver Kenton Gray credits the teachings of Hubbard for making him a better driver, making the sponsorship a natural fit to him. Thoughts?