riverdude
04-04-2009, 08:58 AM
GM’s troubles dominate NASCAR conversation
By SCHUYLER DIXON, Associated Press Writer 14 hours, 21 minutes ago
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP)—NASCAR’s biggest names aren’t driving with blinders on. They realize President Barack Obama essentially put General Motors on watch this week.
That’s a big deal in a sport synonymous with GM for decades. It’s also a big deal when some of the drivers are Chevrolet men Dale Earnhardt Jr. (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/88/;_ylt=AlPT57MhTAUWBPff.cRnCLLTv7YF), Tony Stewart (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/87/;_ylt=AptVCRRxyvfngJWJNJcwgwvTv7YF), Jeff Gordon (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/3/;_ylt=AgjJLsgpv82m5ZsE02DoFs7Tv7YF) and Jimmie Johnson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/213/;_ylt=AqovIm9xXSYhkru97oUHbX3Tv7YF).
The Obama administration’s bailout of GM was the primary topic of conversation Friday, the first time most drivers faced reporters since the government asserted unprecedented control over the auto industry.
The answers struck a theme. The drivers are aware and concerned. Conversations about the troubles have been ongoing. They think GM will weather the difficulties.
“I’m definitely concerned about it,” said Gordon, a four-time Sprint Cup champion. “I’m concerned for it more from the fact that I want to see them do well as much for General Motors as it is for all American car makers and looking at how many people they employ in our economy. I’m way more concerned from that aspect than I am from a racing standpoint.”
But Gordon joined several other drivers in saying Chevy should stay in racing.
“I don’t want to drive anything other than a Chevy,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and they’ve been so good to me and we’ve won a lot of races and championships with Chevrolet.”
Earnhardt said he wasn’t any more concerned now than a year ago when the automaker was struggling.
“People have such short-term memories on everything,” Earnhardt said. “I feel like there’s been a lot of positives in the last six months as well that are giving me a lot of inspiration and hope that the situation is going to get better, especially for Chevrolet.”
Jeff Burton (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/6/;_ylt=AjSZtsqRey0YrUYEW7U9XnDTv7YF), the first two-time winner in Texas, said he thought GM officials and race team executives were already discussing “worst-case scenarios,” although he didn’t specify what those were.
“I think in the climate that we’re in today, it would be poor business not to look at worst-case scenarios,” Burton said. “My biggest issue about all of that is just getting the economy moving so that people can buy cars again.”
Texas Motor Speedway chief executive Bruton Smith, who made part of his fortune through car dealerships, called Obama’s plan “major pooh-pooh.” He said he missed the president’s announcement Monday that the government would give GM enough working capital for the next 60 days so the company can continue working on a restructuring plan.
“I think I was watching Oprah or something,” Smith said.
By SCHUYLER DIXON, Associated Press Writer 14 hours, 21 minutes ago
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP)—NASCAR’s biggest names aren’t driving with blinders on. They realize President Barack Obama essentially put General Motors on watch this week.
That’s a big deal in a sport synonymous with GM for decades. It’s also a big deal when some of the drivers are Chevrolet men Dale Earnhardt Jr. (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/88/;_ylt=AlPT57MhTAUWBPff.cRnCLLTv7YF), Tony Stewart (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/87/;_ylt=AptVCRRxyvfngJWJNJcwgwvTv7YF), Jeff Gordon (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/3/;_ylt=AgjJLsgpv82m5ZsE02DoFs7Tv7YF) and Jimmie Johnson (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/213/;_ylt=AqovIm9xXSYhkru97oUHbX3Tv7YF).
The Obama administration’s bailout of GM was the primary topic of conversation Friday, the first time most drivers faced reporters since the government asserted unprecedented control over the auto industry.
The answers struck a theme. The drivers are aware and concerned. Conversations about the troubles have been ongoing. They think GM will weather the difficulties.
“I’m definitely concerned about it,” said Gordon, a four-time Sprint Cup champion. “I’m concerned for it more from the fact that I want to see them do well as much for General Motors as it is for all American car makers and looking at how many people they employ in our economy. I’m way more concerned from that aspect than I am from a racing standpoint.”
But Gordon joined several other drivers in saying Chevy should stay in racing.
“I don’t want to drive anything other than a Chevy,” he said. “I’ve been doing this for a long time, and they’ve been so good to me and we’ve won a lot of races and championships with Chevrolet.”
Earnhardt said he wasn’t any more concerned now than a year ago when the automaker was struggling.
“People have such short-term memories on everything,” Earnhardt said. “I feel like there’s been a lot of positives in the last six months as well that are giving me a lot of inspiration and hope that the situation is going to get better, especially for Chevrolet.”
Jeff Burton (http://sports.yahoo.com/nascar/sprint/drivers/6/;_ylt=AjSZtsqRey0YrUYEW7U9XnDTv7YF), the first two-time winner in Texas, said he thought GM officials and race team executives were already discussing “worst-case scenarios,” although he didn’t specify what those were.
“I think in the climate that we’re in today, it would be poor business not to look at worst-case scenarios,” Burton said. “My biggest issue about all of that is just getting the economy moving so that people can buy cars again.”
Texas Motor Speedway chief executive Bruton Smith, who made part of his fortune through car dealerships, called Obama’s plan “major pooh-pooh.” He said he missed the president’s announcement Monday that the government would give GM enough working capital for the next 60 days so the company can continue working on a restructuring plan.
“I think I was watching Oprah or something,” Smith said.