With the elections a mere 25 days away, campaign officials for Barack Obama and John McCain are downplaying talk that race will play a factor when people enter the booth to vote. 

“In this day and age I can’t imagine that someone would decide how to cast their vote based on racial prejudice,” said campaign advisor Hamilton Baker III.   “American’s want a leader in this time of war and financial turmoil.  It doesn’t matter what they look like on the outside, it’s what’s inside that counts.  I think our nation has come a long way and we look at who is the best person for the job regardless of their race, religion or sexual orientation.”

Not everyone agrees with that assessment.  A recent Zagby poll of likely voters and self described NASCAR fans shows that race will indeed play an important role when deciding who they will support for the Presidency of the United States.

“Race ain’t a factor in this election?  Are you kidding me?” said Dave S. Jefferson, North Carolina voter and one time candidate for the NASCAR Presidency (http://blackflaggedonline.com/2008/02/08/%e2%80%9cnascar-nation-of-one%e2%80%9d-secedes-from-racing-giant).  “There is one thing and one thing only that matters to old Dave Jefferson, the race.  I eat, sleep and breathe NASCAR.  To suggest that the race ain’t gonna play a factor in who I vote for is just plain silly.”

Jefferson, part of the critical voting block known as the NASCAR dads, is a highly targeted voter by both the Obama and McCain campaigns and both candidates have made a concerted effort to court voters like him.  Earlier this year the Obama campaign considered sponsoring a car at the Pennsylvania 500 at Pocono International Raceway in August.  McCain has visited the NASCAR race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway for the Sylvania 300 and his wife Cindy is a NASCAR fan and has appeared at several tracks throughout the 2008 season.

“I’m gonna weigh all the factors when deciding who I’m gonna cast my vote for,” explained Jefferson.  “I’ll take into consideration all the important stuff like who their favorite driver is, which track is their favorite, you know, all the important stuff.  I ain’t heard word one outta either one of them fellas about who they like in the Chase.  It leads me to believe that them guys might be Jeff Gordon fans the way they been keeping quiet about it and all.”

Jefferson plans to hold a press conference before this weekend’s race at Charlotte Motor Speedway where he plans to put the candidates on the spot and make them publicly declare their favorite drivers.

“I don’t want to hear any of this campaign double talk about how they support every driver in the Chase because it’s an honor to be there,” said Jefferson.  “That’s the kind of political stuff American’s are tired of.  I hear them fellas talk about change all the time.  Well I want them to know that the only kind of change NASCAR fans care about involves 4 tires.”