Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
BLOOMFIELD HILLS, Mich. -- Mitt Romney and Rick Santorum spent the day vying in the Republican race for the White House in an unconventional way, hoping to reach out to NASCAR fans.
Both were at the track for the Daytona 500 on Sunday. Romney attended the race while Santorum sponsored one of the cars. Both are hoping this will play big and strong in a state where the auto industry means everything. Michigan and Arizona cast their votes Tuesday in their respective primaries.
"A couple of things I love best: cars and sports," Romney said.
"If people think that there is something wrong with being successful in America, then they better vote for the other guy."
While Santorum was at Daytona, he compared that race to his own.
Santorum has certainly capitalized on Romney's vulnerability in Michigan. In 2008, Romney opposed auto- company government bailouts, repeatedly questioning Romney's true conservative credentials.
"I think the issue of me standing up of being principled on the bailouts and governor Romney bailing out on Detroit and sticking up for Wall Street is a pretty good contrast going into Michigan," Santorum said.
Romney is asking for support from his home state, working to make himself the pick for primary voters.
"If you want somebody who will dramatically and fundamentally change Washington and bring us more jobs and less debt and smaller government, then I am your guy," Romney said.
A loss in Michigan I think sends this Republican race in complete upheaval. And it puts Romney in the most precarious position he's been in yet.
–- Chuck Todd, NBC
In Michigan, Romney is in danger of losing to Rick Santorum. Michigan has 30 delegates to lose, but it wouldn't mean the end for Romney if he lost the state, though GOP insiders may start becoming uneasy if that happens, opening up the contest again for alternative candidates. Romney is leading in Arizona and his campaign got a boost with the endorsement of Governor Jan Brewer.
"A loss in Michigan I think sends this Republican race in complete upheaval," said NBC News Political Director Chuck Todd. "And it puts Romney in the most precarious position he's been in yet."
Still, Romney is seeing support from fellow Mormons and Michiganites. Nancy McIntyre enthusiastically declared her support in Michigan's GOP presidential primary Tuesday for Mitt Romney, who grew up in this affluent community.
McIntyre said after she and her husband, a retired stockbroker, converted to Mormonism years ago, they socialized with Romney's family, including his father, the late former Michigan Gov. George Romney.
"We know the basic beliefs of their family, and the background from which Mitt came," McIntyre, a native of nearby Royal Oak, said. "We have 100 percent belief in Mitt."
Still, McIntyre said she could support Romney's current chief rival for the Republican nomination, former Pennsylvania Sen. Rick Santorum, should he emerge as the party's choice to face President Barack Obama in November.
"They're so close in principles of belief," McIntyre said of Santorum and Romney. "If Santorum wins, we're behind him 100 percent. I hope people who are behind Santorum feel the same way about Mitt."
Contributing: Richard Piatt
