Humpy Gets Bumped – The Spin Out Zone

Hold on – here is the bump and the SPIN OUT!

Just like most of you, I am ready for racing! My wife, who is the mother of
my child, qualified on the POLE to enjoy the annual Mother’s Day festivities.
Her comment on this fine day was "I’ve got it bad, cause I wanted racing
today!"

I purposely waited to SPIN OUT someone this week until I heard Mr.
"Humpy" Wheeler’s annual prediction of who will win The Winston this
year. With all the corporate mess surrounding Lowe’s Motor Speedway, I figured
one of the best ways to draw attention to the Lowe’s name was for Humpy to pick
Jimmie Johnson or Jeff Gordon since they both carry the Lowe’s name on their
cars. Without surprise, Humpy picked Jeff Gordon to win and as a dark horse, he
picked Jimmie Johnson. How convenient!

Corporate influence has been a part of the game for many years. NASCAR is one
big marketing tool for all involved, but now we are seeing a new aspect of the
game. Lowe’s Motor Speedway has removed all Tony Stewart merchandise from its
souvenir shops (actually moved it out of the main shopping area) because Home
Depot the rival of Lowe’s Home Improvement Warehouse is Tony’s sponsor. From
what I understand, track management felt this move would help keep Lowe’s from
pulling out of their $35 million dollar naming rights contract.

Now race fans what else can track management do to help their cause? PICK LOWE’S
DRIVERS! Don’t get me wrong, both Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson could very well
win this race, but let’s look at the big marketing picture. For Humpy to mention
and pick both Lowe’s drivers was a politically correct pick. If they are truly
fighting to keep the Lowe’s name then Humpy had to turn into a "corporate
yes man" and pick the Lowe’s drivers. Do we honestly think he would have
chosen Tony Stewart?

I bet as of last week Humpy and the brain trust within the Lowe’s Marketing
Department have not slept a wink. They keep having this nightmare that Tony
Stewart wins The Winston. What could be worst? You got it, Tony winning both The
Winston and Coca-Cola 600!

But lets face it, Humpy and Lowe’s could come out smelling like roses. Jeff
Gordon could win The Winston and Jimmie Johnson could walk away with the
Coca-Cola 600, making it a Lowe’s sweep at the Lowe’s Motor Speedway. But on the
other hand, Home Depot and Tony Stewart could ride off into the darkness holding
an accomplishment that even Budweiser would be proud of – if, and only if,
Talladega was really named The Coors Speedway.

This weeks SPIN OUT goes to – Humpy Wheeler, for letting Lowe’s play him like
a banjo on a Saturday night!