Go fast, vote left: US Congressman to sponsor Mike Wallace at Daytona

Mike Wallace will have even more of a reason to turn left at next weeks season opening NASCAR Nationwide race at Daytona International Speedway.

Wallace has picked up a one-race sponsorship from US Representative and Senate hopeful Kendrick Meek, a Democrat from Florida.

Rep. Meek made the announcement Tuesday that his campaign would be the primary sponsor in next Saturday’s event.

"I'm thrilled to sponsor the race car driven by Mike Wallace, a member of one of America's top racing families,” Meek said. “The NASCAR Nation experience is a family affair, and my family will be together on pit road cheering Mike onto victory in Daytona.”

Meek, whose district includes Miami, said he is a longtime NASCAR supporter and attended NASCAR's Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway in 2007. He also attended the final NASCAR Sprint Cup race of 2009 at the same track.

"NASCAR has deep roots in Florida, and the NASCAR family is hurting right now, as are Florida families,” the congressman said. “I'm running for the Senate to get Florida's economy working again for the NASCAR Nation and all families throughout this state."

Meek also pointed out that he sponsored legislation supporting the racing industry in Florida, including the recently passed tax extender package that includes the 7-year accelerated depreciation schedule for motorsports entertainment complexes that cleared the House of Representatives in late 2009. The legislation, he said, will have a positive direct economic impact in the Daytona Beach area and throughout racing communities in Florida.

The campaign invited supporters to log onto www.kendrickmeek.com to participate in an online contest, with the winner receiving a pit pass to join Kendrick, his wife and two children, as well as Mike Wallace, and his J-D Motorsports No. 01 Chevrolet team on pit road during race day.

"I am especially proud to sponsor a man of faith who is dedicated to community service,” Meek added. “I know that Mike Wallace supports Double Harvest and the charity/relief work they are performing in Haiti. These relationships make my involvement in this race all the more significant," said Meek, who recently returned from a trip to Haiti days after the earthquake struck to assess the recovery effort on the island nation.”

Wallace has one win at Daytona, that coming in 2004.
 

For more NASCAR News and NASCAR Commentary, follow me on Twitter and Facebook.