NASCAR Cup Series

Obama recognizes NASCAR greats in short event

Published Aug. 20, 2009 11:48 a.m. ET

foxsports

The event portion of NASCAR's visit to the White House lasted longer than a pit stop — but not by much.

While stock car's top racers and dignitaries were given a tour of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, the media waited patiently for directions and protocol.

The White House press corps was gracious enough to share the James S. Brady Briefing Room following an update on President Obama's healthcare plan.

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A preset cattle call for cameras to line up in front of the South Portico was greeted with clouds darkening the skies over the Washington Monument. After a second trek through the Palm Room and past the Rose Garden, reporters and cameramen returned to the site 45 minutes later.

NASCAR Chairman Brian France and President Mike Helton arrived first on the scene. By 4:15, former champions, Chase contenders and other racers made their way to the makeshift stage on the driveway adorned with the No. 48 Lowe's Chevrolet — stage left.

Richard Petty, Darrell Waltrip, Bill Elliott, Terry Labonte, Rusty Wallace, Bobby Labonte and Kurt Busch were among the champions who entered in the first wave.

In a curious twist, Busch and Juan Pablo Montoya were seated with the past champions, and instead, last year's Chase contenders — Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon, Jeff Burton, Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer and Carl Edwards — were recognized.

Finally, President Obama accompanied three-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson through the doors. The President remarked that it's not every day we have a car parked on the White House lawn and joked about keeping J.J. from executing burnouts on the grass. There were rumors circulating in the media center of the Commander in Chief climbing in the race car for photo ops — but it never happened.

Instead, he congratulated Johnson's lifelong accomplishments,"from his motor cross racing at the age of 5" and "his greatest achievement — how far he married up" with wife Chandra.

NASCAR at the White House

President Barack Obama honored three-time Cup champ Jimmie Johnson and the sport of NASCAR Wednesday. Check out shots from the White House HERE.

Of course, the ultimate kudos came from Johnson's remarkable three consecutive titles.

The President made a point of singling out those behind the scenes who made the championship possible or everyone "that keeps him up front" including owner Rick Hendrick, crew chief Chad Knaus and "all the folks at Hendrick Motorsports because we all know in NASCAR that winning isn't just about who is behind the wheel during the race, but also the guys back in the pits and everyone back at the shop who prep these cars week after week."

The President wished Johnson well in his bid for a fourth title. "There may be some guys behind him that may have something to say about that," — referring to last year's crop of contenders.

The President acknowledged four-time champion Jeff Gordon, wished him "good luck in (his) drive for five" and noted his effort of giving back. And he made a point to offer a shout-out to the King — Richard Petty — "sitting in the front row where he belongs."

He complimented France and Helton in their development of NASCAR. The President mentioned it was fitting that the audience was at "the American People's House" given NASCAR's "humbling beginnings when moonshiners raced on the sands of Daytona Beach during Prohibition."

He highlighted the sport's philanthropic efforts, energy independence initiatives and the continual support of the U.S. troops and veterans.