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Spitzer Rolls With NASCAR Crowd

It's off to the races for flesh-pressing Harvard Democrat

By Joseph Fasano,  Newser User

Posted Aug 14, 2007 6:30 AM CDT
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(Newser) – The Times noticed an unlikely NASCAR fan at this weekend's race in upstate New York—Governor Eliot Spitzer, who was no doubt running slightly left of the pack. Spitzer, whose brother-in-law is an engineer for NASCAR's Hendrick Motorsports, said he was supporting his favorite driver, Hendrick driver Jeff Gordon. The Pinceton-cum-Harvard Democrat in pressed trousers stood out in the macho crowd.

"We're trying to cross cultural barriers here," he quipped. Spitzer has taken flak lately for reports that his staff illegally used police to try to discredit a political opponent, leading to a campaign to nurture a trustworthy image. Sadly for the governor, Gordon spun out on the last lap and finished eight back of victor Tony Stewart.

New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer walks in the garage area before the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' Centurian Boats at the Glen auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer walks in the garage area before the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' Centurian Boats at the Glen auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/David Duprey)   (Associated Press)
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer talks with NASCAR driver Casey Mears, right, before the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' Centurian Boats at the Glen auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer talks with NASCAR driver Casey Mears, right, before the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' Centurian Boats at the Glen auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/David...   (Associated Press)
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, left, with his wife Silda Wall Spitzer, middle, signs an autograph for a NASCAR fan before the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' Centurian Boats at the Glen auto race in Watkins Glen, N.Y., Sunday, Aug. 12, 2007. (AP Photo/David Duprey)
New York Gov. Eliot Spitzer, left, with his wife Silda Wall Spitzer, middle, signs an autograph for a NASCAR fan before the NASCAR Nextel Cup Series' Centurian Boats at the Glen auto race in Watkins Glen,...   (Associated Press)
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Tony Stewart • NASCAR • Jeff Gordon • auto racing • Nextel Cup • Eliot Spitzer • Watkins Glen • Hendrick Motorsports

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