Freemasons getting into NASCAR

Alex Nunez — Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:34:00 EST

If bestselling author Dan Brown ever decides to center a book around racing, the Freemasons, who figure largely in his symbology-driven novels, have served up a real-life scenario that he can draw from. Seth Stevenson, who writes Slate.com's Ad Report Card, delves into the details surrounding the Masons' NASCAR Busch Series #34 Scottish Rite Chevrolet (which is decorated with a giant two-headed Masonic eagle on its hood).

Stevenson ran across the machine when he saw it parked outside the Masonic Temple in Washington D.C. The seemingly incongruous combination has a purpose: the Masons are recruiting, and they think that the massive TV exposure the car will receive during race telecasts will help bring in new, younger members.

If I was a conspiracy nut, I'd carry on about about the subliminal messages ESPN will unwittingly be broadcasting as the symbol-covered racer makes the Busch Series rounds. The truth is, however, viewers who don't know better (I'm guessing this will be more than a few) are just as likely to look at "Scottish Rite" and the Masonic eagle and assume it's all a promotion for some sort of new deodorant or shampoo as they are to make the Masonic connection and investigate further at their local hall. You have to credit the Masons for thinking out of the box on this one, though.

Naturally, there are additional elements to the story -- the Scottish Rite apparently isn't paying the race team a dime, even though they're the car's primary sponsor -- that make the whole thing even more interesting. Especially if you put your tinfoil hat on. Read the whole thing.

Photo details: Left to right - Scottish Rite executive director William G. Sizemore, driver Brian Conz, team owner Frank Cicci

[Source: Slate.com]

Freemasons getting into NASCAR originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 30 Jan 2007 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Checkered weekend: No. 48 looks good for Cup win

Chris Tutor — Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:43:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports

This Sunday the Chase for the 2006 Nextel Cup will cross the finish line. At the end of the day, as long as No. 48 Jimmie Johnson finishes 12th or better at Homestead-Miami Speedway, he will walk away with his long-awaited championship. According to the guys who crunch the numbers, that's even if No. 17 Matt Kenseth, who trails Johnson by 63 points, wins the race and leads the most laps.

But No. 29 Kevin Harvick, third in the standings going into this weekend's race, will not end the year empty-handed. Harvick's done even better in the Busch Series. He had that title wrapped up in October. He can just coast through Saturday's Busch race (Ford 300 on TNT at 7 p.m. ET). No. 11 Denny Hamlin, fourth in Nextel Cup standings, looks good to take home rookie-of-the-year trophy.
Sorry No. 8 fans, at 115 points behind Johnson, Earnhardt Jr. is a long shot. There's always next year, Dale. Rounding out Nextel Cup's top 10 are No. 24 Jeff Gordon, No. 31 Jeff Burton, No. 6 Mark Martin, No. 9 Kasey Kahne and No. 5 Kyle Busch.

Watch the Ford 400/Nextel Cup Series Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on NBC.

For the Craftsman Truck Series championship, Johnny Benson trails Todd Bodine by 112 points before Friday's Ford 200 in Miami. Watch that race on Speed Channel at 7:30 p.m. ET

Check the NASCAR TV schedule for official airing times.

Checkered weekend: No. 48 looks good for Cup win originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Nov 2006 07:43:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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