There’s going to be more passion at the Daytona 500 than just the fervor of the NASCAR fans. The No. 18 Interstate Batteries Chevy driven by Bobby Labonte will have its hood painted with a logo promoting The Passion of the Christ. It’s a fact that NASCAR fans are probably the most openly Christian fans, as a demographic, among all sports fans, and are predominantly Southerners. Every race is opened with a Christian prayer, which is always broadcast on TV. One time, the Catholic bishop of Vermont was asked to give the pre-race prayer before one of the New Hampshire races. Plus there’s the fact that many of the drivers are open about their Christian faith in media appearances.
It seems that the Chairman of Interstate Batteries is a big supporter of the film. Jim Caviezel will also attend the race as a guest of Interstate Batteries.
We just have to get used to the fact that the movie is not just a religious phenomenon, but a media event as well. On the other hand, it will be nice to see the name of Christ seen in one of the most-watched sporting events of the year (and not being taken in vain!)
Image Credit
- labontepassion.jpg: Unknown | Copyright by owner. Used under Fair Use doctrine
I’m surprised at the number of people who think this bonnet is tacky. It is, I suppose, in the same sense that all advertising is tacky. Nobody should ever have been under the impression that this movie was not going to be advertised and marketed. Gibson did use some non-traditional techniques, like screening to pastors and churches rather than religion writers and film critics, but not excluding the traditional ones, like posters and billboards.
A movie is a movie is a movie, and you get bodies into the theater in the same way, no matter its subject; the movie’s content then takes over and works for good or ill, for Christ or the Devil, depending.
I know that a lot of NASCAR fans aren’t southerners. I’m one of them and have seen the sport transition from a mainly regional one to a national one over the past decade-and-a-half. But it is still a mainly Southern sport and is perceived as such. As much as it has expanded into the north and west, the core of its fan base is still south of the Mason-Dixon and east of the Mississippi.
I’m not sure why it’s a bad stereotype southerners are trying to distance themselves from. The sport is the fastest growing and draws the biggest and most loyal crowds of any sport in the country. And the big voter demographic in this election is the NASCAR Dad, as opposed to the soccer moms of the 90s.
Maybe you mean the image of the beer-guzzling redneck is what they’re trying to leave behind. In that case, I understand. I try to avoid the stereotype of the snooty liberal Northeasterner.
Michigan,
I’m not dancing around it because I don’t know what’s wrong with being Southern either. As I said, I don’t know why it’s a bad stereotype for Southerners, unless he means the beer-guzzling, redneck stereotype.
Aw gee Dom you mean you’re not a snooty liberal Northeasterner. I would never have guess that about you Dom. And Michigan catholic there ain’t nothin’ wrong with bein’ a Southerner, after all we’z the onlest’ ones da knoz how tur talk. And yup I do come from that Southern redneck image that all Those southerners are trying to get away from.
Jeanne,
Take a deep breath and don’t jump to conclusions. If your post did indeed make it here, it might have been accidentally deleted. I seem to remember recently that you had posted the same thing twice. When deleting the duplicate I may have clicked twice and deleted both. For that I’m sorry, but you need to calm down a little and don’t assume you’re being persecuted. And I’m sure God doesn’t care who I ban from posting and who I don’t.
Again, Jeanne, relax. I said it’s a stereotype, as in “it’s not an accurate image, but a too-broad generalization.” I’m defending southerners against the accusation that they’re all beer-guzzling rednecks. Geez, remind me not to defend southerners anymore.
heck Dom we stand up for ourselves that’s what the problem is.