Posted on 08/04/2009 2:45:55 AM PDT by personalaccts
Jimmie Johnson finally going to White House By Jim Utter - jutter@charlotteobserver.com Saturday, Aug. 01, 2009
More NASCAR news LONG POND, Pa. - Reigning Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson is finally going to get his White House visit for winning the 2009 title but he’s going to have company.
The White House press secretary’s office announced late Friday that President Barack Obama will host a gathering Monday afternoon on the South Portico of the White House with Johnson, all the members of last year’s Chase for the Sprint Cup field as well as some former series champions, including Dale Jarrett and Darrell Waltrip.
Also on hand for the 4:30 p.m. meeting will be one of Johnson’s No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolets.
“It’s a big honor for our sport to go to the White House. With the way things have changed in the automotive industry, I think it will be good to go up and be face-to-face with the president and let him see the personalities and understand that we’re real people and a real sport,” said Johnson.
“Hopefully, we’ll have a chance to express the importance of racing, not that we’re going up there to politic for anything. Obviously with the president being who he is and all the boundaries that were knocked down through this election, it’s a good day for NASCAR and us as individuals to go up and experience this.”
Typically, the Cup series champion gets a visit to the White House but Johnson’s visit had been delayed by Obama’s transition after winning election last November.
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Sorry 0 but the race was rain delayed to yesterday/Monday so no visit to WH. Some drivers had ‘other’ engagements so wouldn’t be able to go. :)
Rescheduled to the 19th I think - but don’t really care!
He a good driver but I didnt realize he was that good.
He also won it in 07 and 06. Three in a row. Yes, he is that good.
I think they are poking fun at the wrong year. 2009 season isn’t over, :-)
Didn’t he have a couple of country acts last week?
He’s really going for the “clingers” vote, eh?
I imagine that NASCAR is holding its breath. Many involved with the sport own dealerships. It is likely that Dodge will disappear in 2010. A maverick like Tony Stewart, who drives a Chevrolet, just might take it unkindly to get booed driving a government car. Then there is the question of sponsorship, and attendance. I noted one car at Pocono without a sponsor, and there might have been others. They say attendance is down, but it is hard to tell. Look out, a rocky road ahead.
No, you’re not understanding what I said. This asst. coach to THE Jimmy Johnson was a club owner who then went into rock promotion-—I have his diary/book in my possession. He also worked with Barry Switzer at OU before he became a Cowboy.
Thanks. I’ll link this in the race thread coming later today. nice pics above,, perhaps prophetic. ;-)
You do realize that the article says he won the 2009 Championship. The season isnt even over.
This comes from Obama’s personal MSM network NBC. Barf!
Obama is a NASCAR Guy
The president looked more comfortable with the NASCAR guys than his predecessor did.
http://www.nbcchicago.com/news/sports/Obama-Is-A-NASCAR-Guy-53737557.html
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