Democrats vs. NASCAR

The U.S. Army has sponsored NASCAR for a decade, spending $7 million in 2010 and $11.6 million in 2009.

(Image credit: Getty)

last updated 8 January 2015

With House Republicans in a "frenzy to cut federal spending," one Democrat is pushing her own controversial spending cut: NASCAR. Rep. Betty McCollum (D-Minn.) has proposed cutting funding for the Defense Department's motor-sports marketing enterprise, and has the apparent support of at least one other House Dem. The move would sever a decade-long relationship between NASCAR and the U.S. military that cost $7 million in 2010 and $11.6 million in 2009. "We're in a fiscal crisis," says McCollum's chief of staff, Bill Harper, calling the military's sponsorship of race cars a "waste of money." Is it really?

No, America needs NASCAR: Racing fans "are the kind of people who fight America's wars," says Ramsey Poston with NASCAR corporate communications, as quoted in The Atlantic. Given that one in three service members are fans of NASCAR, it makes total sense that the Pentagon would renew this partnership. It's a great recruiting tool.