Photo credit: AP/Charles Dharapak
President Barack Obama, Wednesday afternoon, honored three time winner 2008 Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson. The President also paid tribute to the rest of the NASCAR family, as well as, other chase drivers who were present.
“We all know NASCAR winning isn’t just about who’s behind the wheel during the race, it’s also about who’s got your back in the pit and everyone back at the shop who preps these cars week after week”, Obama told his audience.
Also in attendance at today’s ceremony was one of NASCAR’s all-time greats, “The King” Richard Petty, who the president reminded, had a family tradition that went back generations in racing and came “as close as you can get to a NASCAR dynasty.”
NASCAR’s president, Mike Helton and Brian France, NASCAR’s chairman were also on hand at today’s ceremony.
Special guests also included wounded soldiers from Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington and campers from Victoria Junction Gang Camp in Randleman, N.C. which NASCAR supports.
Obama told his audience that NASCAR is a uniquely American sport which, overtime has grown since the days when “moonshiners” raced in Daytona Beach, to one with tens of millions of fans in America and around the world.
He noted that NASCAR is a lot more that just racing cars. “It’s as much about what you give back off the track as you give on the track. It’s about what you’re doing to protect our environment and help America become energy independent — using solar energy, and working to offset carbon emissions, and even hiring a director of green innovation to take your commitment to the next level”, said the president.
Obama referenced the fact that, NASCAR had grown into a service-oriented organization and one which supported schools, hospitals, the hungry and the homeless.
Said Obama, “One of the core values of the NASCAR community is the belief that service isn’t just something you do once in a while when it’s convenient — it’s a way of life.”
“That’s what people see when they tune in to see your races–not just your speed and your skill, but also your compassion, your dedication to your families and our communities, how much you love this country and how strongly you support the heroes who serve it. That’s the face of America that you show to the world, ” said the president.
Displayed on the South Lawn of the White House was Jimmie Johnson’s No. 48 Chevrolet which the President jokingly suggested that he be allowed to take out for a few laps. However, although Jimmy agreed, the Secret Service did not think this was so cool. Also on display was Jimmy’s championship trophy.
