Pepsi released a video yesterday of NASCAR driver Jeff Gordon playing a prank on a used car salesman. Jeff undergoes a disguise by a professional makeover artist--makeup, hair, fake skin--to shield his real identity. Then when he goes to test drive a 2009 Chevy Camaro, he takes the salesman on a wild ride, reaching top speeds, and performing incredible stunts.
The video has gone viral, receiving 1.8 million views on YouTube in the first 24 hours. It was reportedly shot at Troutman Motors in Concord, which isn't too far from the Hendrick Motorsports headquarters, home to Jeff's race team.
The three-minute-and-45-second video is entertaining and hilarious, even if you feel sorry for the unsuspecting salesman, but I'm not sure if the prank is real. The whole thing looks staged to the point that it makes me think the salesman was in on it. I guess the truth will surface soon. Actually, one way to find out would be if someone looked into whether or not the salesman in the video actually works at that dealership, rather than him being a paid actor the way I suspect. Whether the video is real or fake, it's getting Pepsi MAX a lot of attention, which is what the brand was going for.
You can see what others are saying about the video on Twitter by searching the #GordonTestDrive hashtag.
The video has gone viral, receiving 1.8 million views on YouTube in the first 24 hours. It was reportedly shot at Troutman Motors in Concord, which isn't too far from the Hendrick Motorsports headquarters, home to Jeff's race team.
The three-minute-and-45-second video is entertaining and hilarious, even if you feel sorry for the unsuspecting salesman, but I'm not sure if the prank is real. The whole thing looks staged to the point that it makes me think the salesman was in on it. I guess the truth will surface soon. Actually, one way to find out would be if someone looked into whether or not the salesman in the video actually works at that dealership, rather than him being a paid actor the way I suspect. Whether the video is real or fake, it's getting Pepsi MAX a lot of attention, which is what the brand was going for.
You can see what others are saying about the video on Twitter by searching the #GordonTestDrive hashtag.
I suspect it was staged. The course was totally clear of cars (except for that one) and people during the whole stunt, but after Gordon reveals himself there are cars driving past the dealership. Plus I didn't know Gordon was stunt-driver quality, haha.
ReplyDeleteDon't get me wrong, though -- it's hilarious all the same and does its job :P
The cup holder camera isnt standard equipment - camaro cup holders are between the seats
ReplyDeleteyah the cup holder gave it away...too convenient
ReplyDelete2:00 in it says "Closed Course" in tiny tony letters at the bottom of the screen. Fake.
ReplyDeleteWhen Jeff is talking to the salesmanm, you can see the cameraman behind the "balloon" in the reflection. Also when they are doing their first donut the camerman pans across the roof of another car. Hard to believe it was normal for them to have a camerman on the lot shopping! Wet roads but dry parking lot?? EASY FAKE
ReplyDeletePepsi would not take on that laibility in this letigious society. The salesman could sue for stress even if uninjured. No way it is real. Fun idea.
ReplyDeletelink to gate where camero turns around... it's pretty close to the dealership...
ReplyDeletehttps://maps.google.com/maps?q=1510+Concord+Parkway+South,+Concord,+North+Carolina+28027&hl=en&ll=35.382802,-80.637391&spn=0.000588,0.001321&sll=41.762599,-72.756789&sspn=0.137775,0.338173&t=h&hnear=1510+Concord+Pkwy+S,+Concord,+North+Carolina+28027&z=20
Of course it was staged. Multiple camera angles, no other people or cars around (save for one car that is narrowly missed). But it wasn't meant to be real, only to have the appearance of being real. It was made as publicity for Pepsi, Chevrolet and to some degree NASCAR. But the whole thing was also made to be funny, and it achieved that goal. It is such a drag when people nitpick because they want to be the first to call something a hoax. THEY were the ones with the superior power who could see what was going on through the curtain. Get a life people. Can't you enjoy something for it's entertainment value? It was hilarious. And like always, when you see something on the internet, don't believe everything you see.
ReplyDeleteIt was obviously staged in the sense that the route had been cleared and there were cameras set up to catch the action. The question is, "was the salesman in on it?". I'm not so sure he was. The reason it's so funny is that the guy looked genuinely terrified. If he was in on it, that information will soon surface.
ReplyDeleteI have seen the video and it is amazing one but when it come to the point that whether it is staged or a natural one so in point of view it is staged because the expressions of the sales person are not the real one. Otherwise the video is tremendous, hilarious and the Most Outstanding Epic Gifs Ever i have seen on the internet.
ReplyDelete