LEWISVILLE — Gov. Rick Perry is revving up to reach out to voters at the Texas Motor Speedway next weekend.
His re-election campaign is sponsoring native Texan Bobby Labonte's racecar — a Chevrolet Impala SS — for the Samsung Mobile 500 on April 18. Perry's name and campaign logo will be emblazoned across the No. 71 car at a cost of $225,000.
"I've got to think that racing is not a lot different from governing," Perry said Tuesday during the unveiling of his sponsorship of the racecar at Huffines Chevrolet in Lewisville. "There's about three or four things that, if you get it right, the rest will take care of itself.
"One of the things you have to have is a good car. You've got to have a good team ... and obviously you've got a good driver" in Labonte, Perry said. "I hope Texans agree that we've got a good driver in Texas."
Perry faces Democrat Bill White, a former Houston mayor, in November. White's campaign wasn't impressed with Perry's campaign maneuver.
"Given Perry's record on education, we're assuming the car mostly goes in reverse or will drop out of the race," said Katy Bacon, a spokeswoman for White's campaign.
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