NASCAR Announces '20 Is Plenty' Marketing Campaign

Traffic safety advocates scored a major coup when NASCAR announced its support of reduced speed limits.

2 minute read

April 1, 2016, 5:00 AM PDT

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Nascar

Action Sports Photography / Shutterstock

NASCAR is hoping people will slow down as they drive through cities and towns around the country.

NASCAR officials announced today in Daytona that the organization will participate in a national "20 Is Plenty" campaign to educate drivers on the dangers of driving too fast. "Basically we're asking drivers to watch NASCAR but not act NASCAR," said NASCAR President Mike Helton at a press conference announcing the new campaign.

"Don't do what we're doing, please," added Helton. "It's not good for anyone's health."

The "20 Is Plenty" campaign will make its first appearance in signage at the Geico 500, held at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama—one of the most notoriously dangerous racetracks in the country.

In addition to outdoor advertising, print ads in racing magazines, and audio announcements on radio broadcasts and at the racetrack, the NASCAR Foundation will fund advertising blocks to run during national race telecasts. Spike Jonze, director of a music video showing Jay-Z and Kanye West driving a highly modified Mercedes Benz in Downey, California, has been tapped to direct the TV spots.

The advertisement campaign and public service announcements will feature Matt Kenseth, driver of the 20 car for Joe Gibbs Racing. "Focusing on the number 20 is a concept I can get behind," said Kenseth at the press conference announcing the campaign. "But when you're driving through my neighborhood, focus on not going above 20 miles per hour. I have kids."

Initial fan reaction has not reflected NASCAR's sudden, surprising interest in the personal safety of automobile travelers, pedestrians, and bicyclists. Reactions on social media have expressed concern that the "20 Is Plenty" campaign is the first sign of a slippery slope into broader environmental concerns that have traditionally been antithetical to the speed and gasoline consumption inherent in NASCAR. Twitter user @KennyLogginsJr summed up the general mood of NASCAR fans in reaction to the news: "What next? Will Joe Gibbs Racing start running Teslas in the Daytona 500?"

NASCAR's announcement adds major corporate clout to the growing success of local "20 Is Plenty" campaigns around the country and world. New York City and Hoboken have implemented official speed limit initiatives in the past. More recently, residents of Portland and New York City have implemented guerrilla "20 Is Plenty" campaigns, and Edinburgh, Scotland implemented a speed limit of 20 miler per hour throughout much of the city.

Friday, April 1, 2016 in Planetizen April 1st Edition

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

Use Code 25for25 at checkout for 25% off an annual plan!

Logo for Planetizen Federal Action Tracker with black and white image of U.S. Capitol with water ripple overlay.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker

A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

May 7, 2025 - Diana Ionescu

Person in yellow safety suit and white helmet kneels to examine water samples outdoors on a lake shore.

USGS Water Science Centers Targeted for Closure

If their work is suspended, states could lose a valuable resource for monitoring, understanding, and managing water resources.

May 1, 2025 - Inside Climate News

Aerial view of Freeway Park cap park over I-5 interstate freeway in Seattle, Washington at night.

Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants

The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.

April 30, 2025 - Streetsblog USA

Person stepping over hole in sidewalk.

Portland Council Tentatively Approves Sidewalk Repair Plan

The proposal would address sidewalk needs in Portland’s District 1 and District 4.

May 12 - Oregon Public Broadcasting

6-story building at Honolulu Community College.

Expanding Access to Design Education at Honolulu Community College

Honolulu Community College’s Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technologies program highlights the role of community colleges in preparing nontraditional students for careers in architectural and construction technologies.

May 12 - University of Hawai'i News

"Radiation Zone, Keep Out" sign on wood post with red Arizona desert mesa in background

Integrating Human Rights Into Energy and Extractive Sector Transitions

Why just transition efforts must move beyond economic considerations by embedding human rights principles into business practices to ensure equitable, transparent, and accountable outcomes for affected communities and workers.

May 12 - Cambridge University Press

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.