{alltv} Drivers not bothered by 'South Park' episode

FONTANA, Calif. – The creators of Comedy Central's "South Park" might be a little disappointed by the reaction from the NASCAR garage about their season premiere Wednesday night titled, "Poor and Stupid."

Apparently, the show that loves to offend while also creating laughs, didn't offend many in the NASCAR garage. Then again, many of those depicted in the episode hadn't seen it.

The show featured its main character Cartman, who tried to get as "poor and stupid" as possible in order to be a NASCAR driver. He actually gets sponsorship from a feminine hygiene product and races. He constantly makes fun of the NASCAR culture, but the drivers were not portrayed in a bad light while Cartman called them stupid. Cartman does kill several spectators as he is involved in several crashes.

In the end, the No. 48 car wins. A few drivers get killed, including Danica Patrick.

"I've had multiple text messages saying that I was on 'South Park,' really from all of my friends' kids," said four-time defending Cup champion Jimmie Johnson. "I've got to check it out. I haven't seen it, but I heard that Cartman's in a very entertaining sponsored car. I haven't seen it yet and I can't wait to."

The theme in the garage was that any publicity is good publicity. This wasn't a show that took shots at the athletes, compared with the episodes about Tiger Woods and the one mocking alleged steroid users in sports.

"Regardless of what the positive or negative spins are that all these shows put [on], I think it's still good publicity of the sport," said four-time Cup champion Jeff Gordon. "Even if you're making fun of it, I think it's still giving attention that is still pretty cool for us."

Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is depicted in his Budweiser uniform, didn't watch the episode.

"I didn't know I was on 'South Park,'" Earnhardt Jr. said. "Nobody told me about that. Was it good? … Another milestone."

Patrick is going to be in "The Simpsons" later this year playing herself.

"Any time somebody takes time to make fun of you is a compliment," she said. "I was talking about it with [crew chief] Tony [Eury] Jr. in the truck and the guys, they found it hilarious. I don't think anybody takes offense to that. Being in 'South Park' is pretty cool."

Even though she got killed?

"Well, you know, some days I think that might be the easy road," said Patrick, who has struggled in her seven NASCAR races this year.