Obama leads Romney among NASCAR fans: Poll

The Ticket

Mitt Romney's recent slide in several polls, including those in the battleground states of Ohio, Virginia and Florida, is troubling enough for the GOP. But, now the Republican nominee appears to be trailing President Barack Obama among a traditionally conservative constituency: NASCAR fans.

Obama leads Romney 49 to 42 percent among NASCAR enthusiasts, according to a new Zogby poll by JZ Analytics.

As the liberal blog PoliticusUSA.com pointed out, Romney was booed at the Daytona 500 in February during a campaign trip ahead of Super Tuesday.

[Also read: Romney says his campaign doesn't need a 'turnaround']

Per the New York Times:

The crowd initially booed Mr. Romney, who occasionally struck a discordant note, as when he approached a group of fans wearing plastic ponchos. "I like those fancy raincoats you bought," he said. "Really sprung for the big bucks." And when asked if he was a fan of the sport, he mentioned that "I have some great friends who are Nascar team owners."

NASCAR fans, though, have been known to boo politicians. Last fall, first lady Michelle Obama and Jill Biden, Vice President Joe Biden's wife, were booed when they served as grand marshals at a race in Miami.

The online poll of 860 likely voters conducted on Sept. 21 and 22 also found that Obama leads Romney 54 to 40 percent among military families.

Among Catholics, the president's edge—46 to 44 percent—is within the poll's 3.4 percent margin of error. But among voters who "never attend a place of worship," Obama's lead over Romney is 63 to 26 percent.

[Related: New poll shows Obama leads Romney in swing states]

Among voters who identified themselves as "social networkers," Obama is ahead of Romney 55 to 33 percent.

Overall, the president leads the GOP challenger 49 to 41 percent, according to the poll. Obama has a head start of 14 points among independents (46 to 32 percent), 33 points among moderates (60 to 27 percent), 36 points among 18- to 29-year-olds (65 to 29 percent), and 42 points among Hispanics (68 to 26 percent).

Of the 103 likely voters who identified themselves as African-American, 96 said they would vote for Obama—with none indicating they would back Romney.

There are a few voting blocs that favor Romney, according to the poll. Among born-again Christians, Romney leads Obama 48 to 40 percent. The former Massachusetts governor held the same lead among rural voters. Among voters who shop at Wal-Mart weekly, Romney is ahead of Obama 46 to 42 percent. And among those sympathetic to the tea party, Romney holds a 75 to 17 percent edge.