President Obama welcomed Tony Stewart and other top NASCAR drivers to the White House to celebrate Stewart's come-from-behind championship, his third title.
President Barack Obama, right, talks with NASCAR driver Tony Stewart near one of his cars and the NASCAR Sprint Cup Trophy as he honors 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Washington.NASCAR Wire Service
WASHINGTON, D.C. -- President Obama gave NASCAR Sprint Cup champ Tony Stewart plenty of light-hearted ribbing during his remarks at the champion's tour of the White House on Tuesday. But he did seem pretty serious about one thing.
He really wants to drive the car.
"It's good to see No. 14 back on the South Lawn," Obama said. "Every year, I try to take a lap. Nobody lets me do it. But I am still holding out hope that at some point, I'm going to be able to get behind the wheel."
Despite the President's high hopes, the commander in chief did not climb into one of Stewart-Haas Racing's 800-horsepower Chevrolets. But it didn't stop Obama from offering high praise for Stewart's accomplishments in closing out his third title in the 2011 NASCAR Chase for the Sprint Cup.
"This was Tony's year," Obama said, "and Smoke gave us one of the most dramatic finishes that we've ever seen."
Stewart said he was humbled by the President's remarks, but for his part, he wasn't quite willing to play the accomplice in getting Obama behind the wheel of one of his cars.
"That's what I was worried about when he went over to it and was looking. That's why I never took the window net down," Stewart said. "I can imagine Secret Service coming out of the woodwork as soon as we put him in that car. So yeah, I think that would be something he'd be genuinely interested in.
"He mentioned how nice a job we did at not tearing the lawn up. I don't think it would remain that way if he was driving the car. But, it's your yard, so . . ."
Stewart was joined at the White House by the other 11 drivers in last year's Chase field. In his remarks, Obama singled out the unprecedented five-year reign of former champion Jimmie Johnson and gave credit to 2011 runner-up Carl Edwards, a member of his Presidential Fitness Council.
President Barack Obama speaks from the center podium as he honors 2011 NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers on the South Lawn of the White House, Tuesday, April 17, 2012, in Washington. NASCAR divers from left are, Kurt Busch, Denny Hamliin, Dale Earnhardt Jr., Brad Keselowski, Kevin Harvick, Tony Stewart, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Ryan Newman anf Kyle Busch.
While it was not the first White House visit for Stewart as NASCAR's reigning champion, he said the experience of being in the heart of the nation's capital with dignitaries never gets old, especially since it was his first title since 2005.
"We got to do this twice as a champion before this, luckily, but it was kind of the same show for the last five years with Jimmie," Stewart joked. "Like I say, it's not only an honor to be here, but it's the first time that we've been here and had the other drivers with us winning the championship."
Obama also took time out to make mention of the NASCAR Unites - America Salutes initiative for patriotism and military support.
"One thing especially I want to thank NASCAR for is the support that you guys have provided to our men and women in uniform," Obama said. "You give active-duty soldiers, wounded warriors, veterans all a VIP experience at races."
That mention wasn't lost on Dale Earnhardt Jr., who currently sports sponsorship for the National Guard and whose car was on The Ellipse near the National Mall with a special red, white and blue paint scheme for the annual White House Easter Egg Roll last week.
Earnhardt, who called the experience of being on stage with the President "surreal," said that he's proud to be a part of the patriotic salute, especially with Memorial Day and Independence Day on the horizon. On Tuesday, though, the day belonged to the privilege of being a special guest in the President's home.
"I was just glad to have the opportunity to shake his hand and have my picture made," Earnhardt Jr. said. "I've got a picture from last year hanging on my wall at the house, so it's something that means a lot to me and I'm appreciate to be here to have the opportunity to do."