Bush big winner in NASCAR campaign contributions

ATLANTA -- The 2004 Presidential election may be a statistical tie according to a poll earlier this month, but based on political contributions from people associated with NASCAR, it's a landslide victory for George W. Bush.

George W. Bush Credit: AP

Since campaign contributions are a matter of public record, a quick Internet search located several motorsports benefactors.

With only a few exceptions, most of those are solidly in the Republican camp, including the France family.

Bill France, Betty Jane France, Brian France, James France and Lesa France Kennedy all donated the maximum $2,000 allowable by law. In addition, International Speedway Corp. made a $7,500 contribution to the Republican National Committee.

Add NASCAR president Mike Helton as a Bush supporter, as he contributed $1,000, plus $500 to the RNC. Greg Penske, a member of the ISC board and son of Roger Penske, also contributed $2,000 to the Bush ledger.

John Edwards Credit: AP

The only exception was ISC vice president John Graham, Jr., who gave $1,000 to the Bob Graham campaign.

Track owners were also solidly in the Republican camp, as Indianapolis Motor Speedway president Tony George donated $15,000 to the Grand Old Party, while Kentucky Speedway's Jerry Carroll added $2,000 and California Speedway's William Miller $1,000 to the Bush campaign.

Teresa Earnhardt was listed as a $2,000 Bush contributor, while the Hendrick family was split. Joseph Hendrick Jr., Rick Hendrick and Ricky Hendrick gave a total of $4,000 to John Edwards, but Joseph Hendrick IV contributed $2,000 to Bush.

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Dale Jarrett gave $2,000 to the Bush campaign, as did Darrell Waltrip and his wife.

As of July 31, Bush had received $237 million in individual contributions and had approximately $32 million in cash remaining, while John Kerry reported $209 million in contributions and $50 million in cash, according to the latest filings with the Federal Election Commission.