President Bush, left, talks with 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Posted on 01/24/2006 2:30:50 PM PST by NormsRevenge
WASHINGTON - NASCAR Cup champion Tony Stewart has had such a successful racing career that he's becoming a regular at the White House.
Stewart said President Bush recalled his two previous visits to the Oval Office — one for his first Cup championship and another with other top drivers — when he came in for a third on Tuesday.
"It's a real big honor to be able to come here and have the president remember you," Stewart told reporters as he left the West Wing. "He said, `I'd like to see you back here next year.' So I'm definitely on his side on that. I would love to come back here next year as a champion again."
The entire No. 20 Home Depot Chevrolet team was included in the meeting. Stewart gave Bush a team driving suit, and Bush checked out the car parked outside.
Joe Gibbs, owner of the team and coach of the Washington Redskins, said Bush was joking with all the guys. It got so chummy that one team member gave the president a sporty pat on the rear and told him he is doing a good job, Gibbs said.
"I was talking to Tony, and I said, `Who would believe that eight years ago when I was talking to you on this ramp at this little airport and we were trying to get together racing, we'd wind up at the White House?'" Gibbs said. "So, it's a big thrill for all of us."
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On the Net:
White House: http://www.whitehouse.gov
President Bush, left, talks with 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Bush, center, holds up a drivers suit given to him by 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart, right, on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 in Washington. At left is race team owner Joe Gibbs. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
Tony had to buy a suit it looks like. hehe
Fyi..
2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup champion Tony Stewart, left, shows off his car to President Bush on the South Lawn of the White House on Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006 in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)
President Bush meets with Tony Stewart, right, the 2005 NASCAR Nextel Cup Champion, Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2006, on the South Lawn at the White House. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)
2006 is be 48's year. I hope.
For your info I believe you are into NASCAR
Maybe they can set up a short track outside the oval office and call it the Oval Office Oval ;o)
Looks like Smoke even shaved for the event.
He beamed a big smile and said he enjoyed that.
Saw a Chris Meyers interview with Steward...the "10 questions" thing. Where they name two things and ask him what he likes or what he is, etc.
Meyers: "Democrat, or Republican?"
Stewart: REPUBLICAN!
I hope Tony want be there next year. Looks as though he may have taken a bath and, may-be, he has shaved.
Nascar White House visit ping
I wand to see Dubya give the "Start Your Engines" command at Daytona.
Somehow I have trouble picturing John Kerry in this situation!! LOL
Looks like Tony has been eating a few to many Twinkies in that first picture.
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