Shelmerdine is rebuked for Bush sticker:

In a decision announced Tuesday [Dec 26th], the FEC [Federal Election Commission] sent an “admonishment letter” to Kirk Shelmerdine Racing. Kirk Shelmerdine was the former pit boss [crew chief, 4 Cup champinships] for the late Dale Earnhardt. Back in 2004 Shelmerdine placed a “Bush-Cheney ’04” decal on his rear quarter panel, which was otherwise unencumbered by advertising. Democratic activist Sydnor Thompson complained to the FEC, and the agency found that Shelmerdine “may have made an unreported independent expenditure or a prohibited corporate expenditure.” Former commissioner Bradley Smith dissented in one of the case’s early votes and blogged about the result this week. He has written that in reference to the FEC’s $250 expenditure limit, “evidence is strong that the market value of Shelmerdine’s rear quarter panel was approximately $0, give or take $249.”(Examiner)(12-28-2006)