Kyle Busch Skips Obama Meeting
Kyle Busch Skips Obama Meeting
Barack Obama invited 2008 NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson and the 11 other Chase drivers from last year to the White House for a months late celebration and meeting on the South Lawn.
Kyle Busch decided to skip the ceremonies.
Maybe Kyle doesn’t agree with Obama’s politics. Or maybe he was just in a hurry to get to Bristol for the truck race. But he wasn’t the only one who didn’t show up. Kevin Harvick and Matt Kenseth were also invited but did not go.
“You know, it is not every day that we have a championship stock car parked out on the South Lawn,†said Obama. “Fortunately, we got Jimmie to agree not to do any burnouts or tear up my backyard.â€
Who knew? I thought that that backyard belonged to the American People.
The drivers who did attend were Greg Biffle, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr, Carl Edwards, Jeff Gordon, Denny Hamlin and Tony Stewart.
Obama also invited past NASCAR Champions and special guests Dale Jarrett, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Juan Pablo Montoya, Richard Petty, Rusty Wallace and Darrell Waltrip.
This is the ninth time — since 1978 — that NASCAR Champions have been invited to the White House.
“NASCAR is once again honored to have its drivers recognized by the President of the United States,†said NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France. “NASCAR is rooted deep in America’s fabric and represents the best of sports and side by side competition.”
Obama said NASCAR is not just about racing — but about America.
“It’s about all the foundations NASCAR has started to support schools and hospitals, combat hunger and homelessness,” said Obama. “And work to help folks in our communities — like the campers here from Victory Junction – kids who can teach us all a thing or two about courage and hope, and I hope had the time of their lives at summer camp.”
“So today, I want to thank all of you for that and for everything you do to make this country a better country. And I wish you all the best of luck in this year’s Chase,†said Obama.
“God bless all of you, and God bless the United States of America. Thank you very much, everybody.â€
Obama never made a campaign stop at a NASCAR track when he was running for office. John McCain did. I wonder why he has decided to reach out to NASCAR and its fans now.
Did Kyle Busch make the right decision in skipping the ceremonies?
