Romney visits Daytona, gets Arizona guv's backing

Daytona Beach, Fla. • Two days away from a critical primary in Michigan, Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney detoured to Daytona International Speedway on Sunday.

Also Sunday, Arizona Gov. Jan Brewer endorsed Mitt Romney for the Republican presidential nomination, citing his "pro-business background and political history."

"I think he's the man who is going to carry the day, and I'm going to work as hard as I know how to see that he wins," Brewer said on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday. Romney "would serve America best of all the candidates," she said.

Arizona holds its primary Tuesday, the same day as Michigan. The state has the fourth-highest Mormon population in the U.S., after Utah, California and Idaho, according to a Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints website. Romney is a member of the church.

CNN reported Saturday that a poll of Arizona Republican primary voters taken Thursday and Friday shows Romney with a slight advantage over Rick Santorum, though the gap between the candidates is shrinking.

The survey from the American Research Group showed Romney with the backing of 39 percent of likely primary voters, compared to 35 percent who support Santorum.

In Florida, Romney visited the track for a few hours before the scheduled start of the Daytona 500. He spoke briefly at the pre-race drivers' meeting and spent time walking around the garage and pit areas, shaking hands and taking photographs with fans.

Asked if he would be rooting for something bad to happen to the No. 26 car being sponsored by Santorum's campaign, Romney laughed, saying, "I hope all the cars have a good race."