by Alex Nunez

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]

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by Alex Nunez

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]

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by Alex Nunez

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]

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by John Neff

HUMMER announced this morning a new version of its H2 SUV called the Victory Red Limited Edition, which is marked by its bright “Victory Red” paint job that extends to body-color fender and rocker moldings. Available for the H2 and H2 SUT, the limited-run package also includes a low-profile, roof-mounted light bar, chrome bits dotting the exterior and 17-inch chrome wheels. We take umbrage with the decision to use carbon fiber appearance accents on the interior, but dig the rear-vision camera system that displays video from a camera out back on a 3.5-inch display that slides out the side of the rearview mirror. Other premium touches include a heated windshield wiper system and rear-seat DVD entertainment system with headrest-mounted screens and wireless headphones. All these premium bits add up to a premium price tag, with the SUV starting at $66,030 and the SUT at $65,575. That’s a pretty big jump over the $54,255 base price of a standard H2 SUV, though even those can be optioned up with packages to hit $60k pretty easily. We’ll likely see the “Victory Red” at the Chicago Auto Show, and it will be arriving in dealerships sometime in February.

Check out our high-resolution gallery of the HUMMER H2 Victory Red Limited Edition and GM’s official press release after the jump.

[Source: GM]

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Ford's product-led renaissance swept into the Chicago Auto Show with an “ideal” vehicle made even better - the redesigned 2008 Mercury Montego. (c)2007 Ford Motor Co.

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by Alex Nunez

Joining a list of artists that includes LeAnn Rimes, Sheryl Crow, Jewel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, and Lenny Kravitz, Grammy winner and former American Idol queen Kelly Clarkson has signed a deal to form the biggest-ever partnership between NASCAR and a musical artist. Vegas oddsmakers have not yet announced the Over/Under for Kelly appearances on The NASCAR Channel SPEED TV this season, but you can pencil us right in for the “over” because it is the lock of the year.

You’ll also be shocked…shocked to learn that Kelly says she’s a big NASCAR fan and looks forward to hanging out with the whole ever-lovin’ NASCAR community. NASCAR (obviously) feels that this relationship will develop into something big. Welcome to the NASCAR/Kelly mutual admiration society.

Her NASCAR debut will be as the headliner in the “Tribute to America” concert that’ll air prior to next month’s season-opening Daytona 500. During the show, NASCAR will shoot a TV commercial that spotlights Kelly as she sings a new song off her upcoming CD. Finally, she’ll be the official spokesperson for the fourth annual NASCAR Day this May, during which the organization raises money for charitable causes.

[Source: Yahoo News]

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