NASCAR going green? They’re trying, at least

Terms like “carbon footprint” and “green initiative” aren’t often heard above the noise of a Sprint Cup series race – and for good reason.

Even acknowledging the importance of energy conservation is a huge step forward for NASCAR, a sport that thrives on burning fossil fuels at a tremendous rate.

Sponsor JuicedHybrid.com announced an effort to offset the carbon emissions of its cars for the first 18 races of the racing season.

“Not only does this initiative allow us to offset the carbon emissions of the No. 96 team, but it provides us a platform to bring this vital message to the attention of NASCAR’s 75 million fans,” JuicedHybrid.com CEO Paul Goldman said.

NASCAR also announced a plan to plant trees based on how many green flags drop at each Cup Series event.

The question: Isn’t it bad marketing for this sport to even acknowledge the green movement? Those millions of fans who gather around the television and race track each Sunday are often the same folks driving big trucks and pumping gas into hobbies like boating and racing.

Give these initial steps some credit, this means NASCAR’s top dogs are beginning to realize the importance of energy conservation. It also likely means NASCAR fans are starting to see the juxtaposition between the sport they love and the practicality of building a sustainable earth.

If NASCAR were truly going to make a green statement, it would have to do much more than purchase carbon credits or plant a few dozen trees. Instead, the higher-ups will have to speak out against using gas for entertainment. For some reason, that doesn’t seem too likely at this point.

Something tells me it will be a while before NASCAR trades in the growl of its engines for a humming electric version. But just as the green movement had to start in small pockets of American culture, it will take time for green to breakthrough to mainstream NASCAR fans.