So what take do these drivers have on Detroit's dilemma and Obama's new game plans?

  
Jeff Burton: Now if he were Senator Jeff Burton, what would he be doing in Washington? (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)

  

   By Mike Mulhern
   mikemulhern.net

   FORT WORTH, Texas
   Reaction among NASCAR men here Friday to President Obama's de facto takeover of General Motors was rather noncommittal, almost somewhat dismissive in fact.
   Bruton Smith, who owns Texas Motor Speedway, called Obama's actions "too socialist," and called the new game plan for GM and Chrysler "major, major pooh-pooh."
   Jeff Burton, one of the NASCAR tour's 12 Chevrolet regulars, said "General Motors is working really hard to have a company that's viable and that has products that Americans want."
   Teammate Clint Bowyer says he just wants to hear happier news:
    "General Motors and all the auto industry are obviously hurting. And they have a lot to do with this sport.
    "So we have to make sure we do everything we can do to help the auto industry.
    "They're going to figure it out. This country can't survive without the auto industry.
    "If they go under, we're walking: We don't drive, we walk.
     "They'll figure it out.
     "And we have to stay positive about this. That's the key thing about everything in the economy.
     "You hear the media all the time, and when you turn on the news, all you hear about is how negative it is.
     "And when the stock market did go up, you didn't even hear much about it going up there the few days that it went up.
     "You've got to make sure they talk positives as much as they do negatives."
   
   

   
Clint Bowyer: How about some happier news? (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)
   

Jimmie Johnson says it's hard to avoid the troubles in Detroit: "We all think about it, and everybody understands the economic troubles our country is having, and the world is having.
    "And you break it down to motorsports and how important the manufacturers are: what the manufacturers get from racing.
    "We need them. We need each other.
    "That April Fool's joke that went around, we don't take it lightly.
    "It's affecting our lives, our livelihoods, our families, and our sport that we care for and love.
    "So that stuff gets everybody's attention.
    "Hopefully we're able to show how important racing is for the manufacturer, and if there are any critics that don't believe in that, we can change their minds and show them."
   Toyota's Denny Hamlin says "Regardless of what they're doing out on the street, I think NASCAR needs the manufacturers as well as the manufacturers need NASCAR. 
    "Regardless of what money they're putting into it, I think they need to be in the sport: Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, all of them.  They need to be in the sport. 
    "This is an American sport and you have to have American cars in it. 
    "We definitely are proud to be the group we're with….and obviously not having the struggles the others are.  It's been a good move for us. Not to say we saw anything coming, but we felt like it was going to be a good move to go to Toyota, and it's obviously paid off for us."
     Burton says the bottom line in Detroit's dilemma is not in the car lineup but in the general economy:  "My biggest thing about the whole GM - Chevrolet issue is getting people where they can afford to buy cars again. 
    "If you look at what Chevrolet and General Motors have done, and are doing with their cars, if you go look at one, you're going to like them.  They have some incredible vehicles now, and the new vehicles that are coming are just unbelievable. 
    "My biggest issue about all of that is just getting the economy moving so people can buy cars again. That's the biggest issue. 
    "I know it's a difficult time, but I believe they will come back…but it's going to take a while."
    Nevertheless, is it time for team owners with Chevrolet and Dodge to start looking at options?
    "I think those things have already happened," Burton says. 
    "The climate we're in today, it would be poor business not to look at the worst-case scenarios. 
     "That's not to say we believe a worst-case scenario is coming, but if you turn the news on you can't help but notice that it needs to have attention paid to it. 
    "Not only from that standpoint but from the entire company standpoint (for team owners), with all sponsors.  Our sport is driven by sponsors and fans being able to participate, and when the economy gets bad, it gets harder for those two groups to participate."
    Kevin Harvick, also a Chevy driver, says the teams have been talking with GM about the issues: "Chevrolet and the teams are in contact, knowing where everybody's at.
   "They have a great plan, going forward. And I've said this before -- I think they'll be stronger than they have been in the past.
    "It's no different than any business in the world. You have down times and you have up times…and good partners ride through those down times together with you."
   
   

   
Jimmie Johnson: That little April Fool's joke wasn't very funny (Photo: Getty Images for NASCAR)