Taxpayer-Funded “Kid Racer” Gets Endorsed
A seventeen-year-old kid who got $50,000 in taxpayer money to sponsor his “racing team” has been officially endorsed by some NASCAR promotions legend named “Humpy.”
Not Tumpy, mind you. “Humpy.”
From 4M.net:
The Wheeler Company, founded by promotions legend and former president of Speedway Motorsports, Inc., H.A. “Humpy” Wheeler, today announced its endorsement of 17-year-old, up-and-coming race car driver Jordan Anderson of Forest Acres, S.C. The news comes on the eve of Anderson’s first 2009 race taking place this weekend at the Carolina Speedway.
“I know what it takes to succeed in the world of NASCAR, and believe Jordan has what it takes to make it to the Cup Series by his 21st birthday, which is our goal,” said Wheeler. “You’ll be hearing more and more about this young man as his star continues to rise. He is the complete package: driving ability, maturity, determination, personality and character…and he does it all from getting his own sponsorships to towing his own car.”
Noticeably absent from the Wheeler “endorsement” of Anderson is a $50,000 refund for the taxpayers of Forest Acres.
Since we published our original story on this expense, we’ve heard from a number of people who tell us that Jordan is good kid who leads Bible studies, does all his homework and brushes his teeth twice a day.
Great. We wish him all the best, but he still shouldn’t get taxpayer money to race.
Of course the “government” in Forest Acres is so daft and leftist that Sic Willie could show up with his old Pinewood Derby car and they’d probably cut him a check for $100,000.
No really, we wish Jordan all the best, but if he wants to set a real example of Christian stewardship, he’d return that tax money and ask that it be used on a core function of government, not his racing team.
Comments
By Scott Fulmer on March 27th, 2009 at 12:55 am
hmmm… Was it from some sort of marketing budget or from a hospitality tax fund? Nothing new, really, though usually an argument can be made that the investment actually increases “tourism,” which is hard to argue how this would. That, and tourism is laughable when it comes to Forest Acres.
By Steve Hall on March 27th, 2009 at 1:28 am
From what I hear, Forest Acres has set aside a certain amount of money to bring tourism to the city, and gain exposure much like Anderson is doing currently.
Not too long ago Myrtle Beach had a similar marketing plan to that of Forest Acres, in that they sponsored a racing driver in the NASCAR Nationwide series and a race at the Darlington Speedway. Marketing like this is nothing new to the world of ’sports’. I even remember when SCANA marketed their company on a car in NASCAR. In years past I have even seen senators market themselves on race cars.
I wish the City of Forest Acres the best, as I reside in Arcadia Lakes (a part of Forest Acres) and the Jordan Anderson Racing team.
By Freddie Mac on March 27th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Ok. Time to take a vacation from ridiculous-ville. People, government doesn’t need to be in the toursim/marketing business. Let the private sector do it! If there is a single damn thing worth seeing in Forest Acres (toursim? Seriously.), then let whatever that is spring for the promo. They would do a better job of it.
Take government out of the private sector function of business on any level. That’s the first step to saving money and stopping this corrupt spending of public money on pet projects.
By JC on March 27th, 2009 at 3:18 pm
Hot-diggity. I can’t wait to visit and spend my money in Forest Acres! OK, so tell me how to get there….
By craig meyers on March 27th, 2009 at 6:59 pm
forest acres ftw
By Silent DoRight on March 27th, 2009 at 7:15 pm
I’d like you to know that this kid is not the only tax payer funded venture into motorsports in this state. There are others if you know where to look.
By Elizabeth on March 28th, 2009 at 2:15 pm
Good for Humpy and for Jordan Anderson! Forest Acres has sponsored Jordan for a long time. What is the problem? Racing brings around $60,000,000.00 to the Darlington area during the year.(Darlington Race Track) The small tracks and the dirt tracks around the state bring in money! There are ticket, food, merchandise, drink, and other sales monies for the area involved. Do not be short sighted. Racing has to have sponsorships, and what better way to promote a part of our state than to have Forest Acres on the car. This is a young fellow,that will have a big future in racing; hopefully on up to the Cup series. I have met him, and liked him a lot. He IS a nice, respectful, focused young man. We need more like him. This money is going to a reasonable and respectable sport/young man. This is not a gang-banger, or drop-out, dope dealer. He has earned respect, and any parent would be proud of him. His town is proud of him. Get over this. He does not need to give back a penny. The cause is one that will pay back S.C. far more than the 50,000 you are worrying yourself about. Racing takes big money, and I am proud of Forest Acres for helping this young man. Go get ‘em Jordan! Good for you, Forest Acres! Sic Willy, you are not cool making fun of racing. And by the way, unlike myself, most race fans are mostly Republicans. Take your Pinewood Derby and go home.
By Elizabeth on March 28th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
For those who do not follow racing, but read this article: There are more than one sponsor on Jordan’s car. Several local companies are also on the car, and thus have spent money to help Jordan follow his dream. Check out his web site.
By craig meyers on March 29th, 2009 at 10:09 am
good point elizabeth