Childress talks of troops in Iraq, some about NASCAR rules, too

Richard Childress, owner of Richard Childress Racing, fielded questions at Daytona International Speedway, many regarding his recent trip to Iraq during the holiday season to visit troops:

Q: How was the trip, how long were you there, what did you do and who did you meet?

Childress: We were there about five or six days. We met a lot of the troops and spent a lot of time visiting the bases and places they had set up for the troops. We went into some really unique places. The morale the troops still have is really unbelievable. To see what they're doing for us to give us the opportunity to do what we do was a great feeling.

Probably one of the neatest things we did was fly one of the Blackhawk helicopters right over the city of Baghdad. We went into one place where they were overtaking an electrical plant. They had gone out that night on a mission and captured 36 terrorists and still came out for autographs at 10 the next morning. That just let us know how strong they felt about NASCAR and how glad they were to get to see us. We were the first civilians to ever go into this particular camp area. It was a unique trip.

We have an opportunity to change the world. If we don't do it now, we could be in some serious trouble in the days to come. I'm proud of what they're doing and of the support we should be giving our troops. If we don't, we could be in some serious trouble as a country some day. I'm not a politician, but I know (this) by just looking at these people. They're not living in hotels. These are young men and women. The best bathroom they've had has been a port-a-potty for the past six months or eight months. They didn't even have that for a while. You'd have to go there and be in the city and see the danger. We were right there. When they handed us a flak jacket and a helmet, you knew it was serious.

I was really proud of all the guys from NASCAR that went. The ESGR, which is the employee's support for the Reserve and Guard, put this program together. Jack Roush and I have always had our differences before, but for him to be there was really neat. Ron Hornaday and Johnny Sauter were the drivers that went along with me and it was a real eye-opener to see what's happening in the world besides NASCAR. These guys didn't have to go over there and I'm really proud of all the NASCAR people that went. They didn't have to go.

And how is Moe "Spread out!" Howard Dean going to get the vote of the NASCAR crowd if their sentiments are exactly opposite of his?

1 posted on 01/09/2004 4:53:32 PM PST by Right_Handed_Writer

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2 posted on 01/09/2004 4:55:20 PM PST by Support Free Republic (Freepers post from sun to sun, but a fundraiser bot's work is never done.)

We knew this thing was for real. These young men and women are putting their lives at risk every minute of the day. For any one not to respect what they're doing gets me a little upset.

Didja hear this Howie? (pstt, NASCAR dads)

3 posted on 01/09/2004 5:58:42 PM PST by Jodi (Real men prefer Bush!)

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