With just weeks left before November elections, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger played host to the largest block of voters one could get in a single location--a NASCAR race. Playing to the crowd, Arnold indirectly appealed to a key voting block and showed he was a man of the NASCAR people. At least he did not have to squeeze into the passenger seat of a stock car...

If there ever was an argument that data can be manipulated in the wrong hands, enter the latest news from the FDNY as a prime example. In the ongoing political circus that surrounds the bid for a track close to NYC, the FDNY has put forth the statistic that NASCAR weekend leads to six deaths. From heart attacks to traffic deaths, the claims by the FDNY make NASCAR sound more dangerous than driving through Compton or swimming with stingrays (RIP Steve Irwin). Even foes of the NYC track will have a hard time swallowing the six deaths per race stat. Deaths will happen whether NASCAR comes to NY--but now at least the FDNY has someone to pin them on.

In a rare glimpse into the psyche of Yankee Johnny Damon, Baltimore Sun sports scribe Roch Kubatko reveals that after today's game, he hit the showers....and the TV, in search of the Chevy Rock & Roll 400. Apparently Damon would have been there in person if he did not have a baseball career standing in the way.

For most NASCAR sponsors, a tie to motorsports is a positive association. It can increase employee morale and introduce a brand and its products and services to a fiercely loyal NASCAR fan base. And for Ford, it means selling cars--and lots of them. Ford introduced the Fusion into the Nextel Cup last year, and since then has sold over 100,000 cars to American consumers, many of whom are NASCAR fans. It does not hurt that drivers like series leader Matt Kenseth are tearing up the track, bringing the Fusion into the winners circle time and again. So sponsors can learn from this--pick the driver you sponsor carefully to ensure that your dollars get the widest exposure possible--especially important during the start of the all-important "Race for the Chase" final races...

RPM Blog is willing to bet that you all saw Talladega Nights. We are also willing to bet that even if you did not love it, you A) probably liked it better than Days of Thunder and B) felt it was a pretty fair representation of NASCAR, even if it was a bit blown out of proportion. So it should come as no surprise that media outlets are taking notice of NASCAR's allegiance to sponsors, as highlighted by Ricky Bobby and company. Without sponsors, NASCAR would not be where it is today. Sponsors are good for the sport and each year brings new and interesting backers to the sport. From big pharma to global shippers to hard liquor, anything that can be sold is a likely sponsor and provides a chance to drivers to make it to the big show.