Fans and drivers alike have traditionally held a conservative viewpoint on most hot-button political topics like the Iraq war, homeland security, and personal freedom.

The ‘smaller the government the better’ Republican point of view seems to suit the NASCAR crowd just fine.

Nowhere is the support of our military more evident that at a NASCAR race.

Before almost every event troops in uniform present the nations colors as military aircraft fly by overhead.

The military is even supported on the racetrack. The National Guard sponsors Casey Nears No.25 Chevrolet -- ride that is being taken over next year by superstar Dale Earnhardt Jr. Mark Martin fields another entry sponsored by the United States Army.

In the Busch series Dale Earnhardt Jr is a car owner -- and that car is sponsored by the United States Navy.

But it doesn't stop there. Some of the biggest names in the sport are already voting with their dollars.

NASCAR CEO and Chairman Brian France has contributed $9,200 to the campaign of Rudy Giuliani. His uncle, J.C France, an executive at International Speedway Corporation, which owns Daytona International Speedway along with a number of other NASCAR venues, contributed $4,600 to Giuliani as well.

Race team owners Richard Childress and Roger Penske have also contributed to the Giuliani campaign fund -- with each giving $2,300, while team owner Rick Hendrick contributed $6,900

3 of Hendrick's drivers, Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Casey Mears have written checks to the Giuliani fund for $2,300 as well.

Penske also contributed $1,000 to the campaign of Mitt Romney, while Hendrick contributed $2,000 to the campaign of fellow North Carolinian John Edwards.

Humpy Wheeler, President of Lowes Motor Speedway is also an Edwards supporter, kicking in $2,300.President Bush and Vice-President Cheney have both attended NASCAR Nextel Cup races while in office. Bush attended the 2004 Daytona 500 -- and he made a point to call the winner, Dale Earnhardt Jr, following the race to congratulate him. Cheney attended the 2006 Pepsi 400, also at Daytona, in 2006.

The contributions are posted at opensecrets.org

During the last election in 2004 9 of the 10 top drivers that year endorsed President Bush publicly in his bid for re-election.

With over 80 million fans -- nearly 18 % of all registered voters nationwide -- the NASCAR Nation wields considerable political clout.

Will Hillary Clinton or Barack Obama be able to win the election without winning over this group? -- It is highly unlikely.

The democrats didn’t do themselves any favors when they insisted that democratic staffers get their shots before attending NASCAR events at Talladega and Charlotte this fall. The fans were insulted -- and rightly so.

Just prior to the 2000 election David Royse, an Associated Press writer, described his take on attending a NASCAR race before imploring his readers to vote for Al Gore: “It's an "interesting" experience to say the least. For the most part, it is a near-exclusively white crowd. Redneck white, much like the GOP.” If the democrats think this is a way to win friends and influence people they certainly have a rude awakening coming.

The democrats just didn’t get it then -- and they still don’t get it now.