Although politics and pole position might seem an unlikely mix, analysts say Democrats could be on to something. Candidates in recent years have coveted the votes of so-called soccer moms, but pollsters recently have begun extolling a group dubbed NASCAR dads - the political demographic du jour. The definition of a NASCAR dad is evolving, but he's been described as a working-class man who places more emphasis on values than on party labels.

[Democratic pollster Celinda] Lake suggested the Democrats should aim to improve their performance among working-class men, who she referred to as "NASCAR dads," over the target suggested by Democratic pollster Mark Penn of aiming for upscale suburban men, a Republican-leaning group he called "office park dads." "NASCAR dads are a better opportunity for us," she said.