The Scouting Report: A weekly digest

A last place finish, popular senators, tiger rebound, future doctors

Gov. Kristi Noem unveiled her latest marketing ploy to attract workers to South Dakota on July 27 – a NASCAR race car wrapped in the state’s Freedom Works Here ad campaign. Three days later, the driver of the car, B.J. McLeod finished in 36^th place driving the South Dakota themed car in the Cook Out 400 in Richmond, Virginia. There were 36 drivers in the race.

Let’s just say it wasn’t an auspicious start for South Dakota’s NASCAR representative. Not only did McLeod finish dead last, he got lapped five times and completed 395 of 400 laps before the race ended.

South Dakota is spending about $5 million on the Freedom Works Here campaign in an effort to attract workers to fill some 20,000 open jobs, and the campaign has generated some positive reviews as well as leads. The partnership with Live Fast Motorsports, McLeod’s team, costs about $130,000.