NASCAR Political Factions by Mia Kuettel

This is a fan editorial by Mia Kuettel
We can all distinguish individual Americans as having common, yet many divided interests and opinions. We can refer to each other as Lefties, Right-Wingers, or Unaffiliated Independents. So it is comparable in the world of NASCAR, fans are united as well as divided within the realms of stock car and truck racing. However, after years of these notable differences, there hasn’t actually been a common label to describe the three fundamental categories defining which side of the field each fan finds his or her self rooting from. Now racing fans can actually classify themselves with the appropriate label that describes their general viewpoint just like the Democrats, Republicans, and Independents can. Keep in mind, just as it is with registered voters who define themselves as Republicans or Democrats, they may not all agree with absolutely 100% of every issue at hand, but they know who they are and what they stand for. The same holds true for each NASCAR fan.
Moderates (MODs)
Driver Loyal. Does not matter what team he drives for or what make the car is. MODs (“My Outstanding Driver”) will readily follow his or her driver wherever he may go. Driver can do no wrong. When things aren’t going right, the MOD is quick to blame the team., the crew chief, the owner, and even the make of the car. If their driver decides to go from Chevy to Toyota, the MOD would sell everything they have, if necessary, to purchase all new driver apparel to outwardly and proudly show their support for that driver. Silly Season for the MOD is a “dream-team building event” placing his/her Outstanding driver with the best of the best. When the MOD notices other teams running better, they wish to swap with the winning players to give their driver what he needs to win. The perfect season would be to make the Chase an unprecedented experience by clinching the championship with 2 races left. Never mind that their driver may have taken the checker by wrecking numerous other leaders through the season “Rubbin’s Racing!”
Liberals (LIBs)
Enjoys NASCAR – the sport – for what it is “entertainment” LIBs (Living in Bliss) will have favorite drivers, team owners and brands. It is not unusual for LIBs to have several favorite NASCAR drivers. They may pick a driver because of his hairstyle, or the way he interviews. Many times they chose their drivers based on the color scheme of the car, the sponsor, or the television commercials they’ve done. Typically, LIBs are more capable of taking Silly Season in stride, yet there are some that will give you their “arm-chair crew chief” opinions of the impending events and how their teams need to be restructured, etc. The Perfect Season for the LIB would be for them to see all of their favorite drivers and sponsors simply make the chase despite all the adversities that their drivers endured during the season. For example, bad luck, penalties, point deductions, fines, even if they had all swapped teams, owners, cars, wives, etc. The more drama, the better, After all, it’s about the Entertainment, right?
Conservatives (GOBs)
Brand Loyal. “Good ‘Ol Boys/Babes” start with the brand make of the car first. Their Daddy’s and Granddads drove the GOB’s brand of car, and so does their favorite driver. This tradition will be passed on for generations to come no matter what. So don’t think for a minute that any non-American brand named car will ever find a place in the GOB’s heart. If their driver leaves their lifelong brand to race a different brand, the GOB will have no other option but to give up their driver and pick another. Many times for a remaining teammate or some will pull for their next favorite driver who still drivers their lifelong brand. In extreme cases, they may give up being a NASCAR fan all together after their beloved driver proved to be disloyal to their cars’ brand. But deep down, they’ll reminisce the glory days, and remember each detail of every NASCAR race they’ve ever seen. Silly Season for the GOB usually starts when NASCAR “shows favor” by approving changes to their rival brands but not theirs. A Perfect Season for the GOB would be that no other brand but his would make the Chase and finish in the top-5 and of course, his driver would win the Cup!