UPDATE: Kurt Busch said today that he will attend a White House reception for NASCAR drivers next week in Washington, DC. In order to clear his schedule, Busch said Penske Racing was forced to reschedule its 2012 sponsor photo shoot, featuring next year's sponsors and cars.
Five NASCAR Sprint Cup Series drivers have declined an invitation to attend a White House reception with President Barack Obama next week. The five -- Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart -- all cited "scheduling conflicts" as the reason for their inability to attend, according to a press release issued today.
Five-time and defending NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson will attend Wednesday's function, along with NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth. Johnson commented on the invitation via Twitter today, saying he had no idea why the other drivers had declined, but, "IMO, regardless of political views, when (the President of the United States) sends an invite and wants to honor you at the White House, you accept."
Burton wrote, "The presidency deserves respect and we are all Americans. I will be there!"
That's why Johnson is a 5 time champ! He understands the meaning of RESPECT! The office of the president of the United States deserves respect from all Americans, including the president. I do not share political views with President Obama but I do respect his position. Well done Jimmy!
ReplyDeleteJon Pack, GA
I agree...when the President of the United States invites you to visit, you visit. I am not sure what could be more important than showing respect for the highest office in our country. I don't think it should matter who the President is, or if you like him or not. Of course, there are exceptions to everything. The birth or a baby, or someone in your family is dying...What if, one of those that declined win the Championship this year...are they going to turn him down when the President invites them back next year...or will they be offended if the President doesn't invite them because they declined this year?
ReplyDeleteJeff Gordon didn't attend one of these back when W was president and I don't recall people getting all upset about it. Could it be the politcal make up of those reporting and who is in the office that make the difference?
ReplyDeletePlease don't make a leap of logic that may not exist. None of the involved drivers have said they declined because of their political views.
ReplyDeleteI think we are throwing 5 drivers under the bus and not getting the full story. Why did it take 9 months for the President to get around to honoring last years champ? When did they get the invite?
ReplyDeleteThat was my point Dave, why is this being made into a politcal statement when this has happened before?
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't go at all unless Ron Paul was president
ReplyDeleteBravo to Jimmy Johnson and the other drivers. What an honor!
ReplyDeleteanonymous said: I think we are throwing 5 drivers under the bus and not getting the full story. Why did it take 9 months for the President to get around to honoring last years champ?
ReplyDeleteMaybe because he has more important things to do than this. Getting GM back on track was very important to this sport or there would have been zero chevys in the field. Thank the President for that. Ford did it on their own and they have drivers attending.I live in Dirtona and the France family is very much Republican and they make no bones about it. I wish they would pay taxes and stop sucking the life out of the Volusia county taxpayers. Daytona police refuse to even send a cop to an event now and the county has to foot the bills. They are worse than disney on their tax breaks but this is totally disrespectful to the President. Bravo Jimmy Johnson, I am now a fan of yours!
Both Bushes did it. Clinton did it. Reagan, Ford, Carter, etc., etc., etc. This is not a political deal. It's a way of honoring a group of drivers.
ReplyDeleteThose 5 drivers may or may not have valid reasons but it is not going to look good for NASCAR. I can hear it now, the made up reasons will run the gamut from...who cares what a bunch of rich prima donnas that drive in circles had planned...to see NASCAR is racist.*sigh* Me, I think it is their loss. You go see the President when invited no matter who or what party he is from, was wrong if it happened before, it is wrong now.
ReplyDeleteLost a lot of respect today for Tony, Biffle and Carl, never had any to loose for Harvick or Kurt Busch. Regardless of your political views, or previous commitments, when you get the honor to represent our sport at the White House you drop everything and go. I bet the broke drivers that used to spent every dime he had to get to the next race would have excepted the offer. Looks like that multi-million salary and lear jets have made these guys forget the country that allowed you to have the wonderful life they live.
ReplyDeleteIMHO, this is an issue because its FIVE drivers, not one or two, and it's close to half of those invited. One or two doesn't make a statement, five out of twelve does.
ReplyDeleteLet's hear the Drivers side of the story before we start lynching them!
ReplyDeleteSo, was Dale Jr. not invited even though he's in the top 10?
ReplyDeleteWhy is everyone making such a big deal about this? Wouldn't they be disrespecting the people involved in their prior commitments if they dropped everything to go to the White House? Hell, it's not like the President is handing out a Medal of Honor. It's a get-together and photo op. I doubt Obama is making as much of a big deal out of this as everyone else is.
ReplyDelete>>Anonymous said...
ReplyDeleteSo, was Dale Jr. not invited even though he's in the top 10?<<
This is for *last* years' chasers, not this year.
How could you not honor the President of the greatest nation and the people who have made it possible for you to even have the opportunity !
ReplyDeleteIf this was originally supposed to be in May, but was rescheduled so Bin Laden could be taken care of, just maybe we can give these guys the benefit of the doubt that when they got around to rescheduling perhaps they had committments.
ReplyDeleteCome on guys; get your act together; whether dem or rep; your forefathers should make the decision easy; you are an Americian; be proud of it; what could be more important; with so much going on with the world today then to show your fans that no matter what you are an American;1st and foremost; get it together; what a thing to tell your family now and in the future.
ReplyDeleteI fully respect the driver's decision to not attend... It's poor planning on the part of the White House. It's two weeks before the start of the chase and all the driver's have numerous commitments at the moment. Besides...would the White House schedule this visit a week before the start NFL playoffs??? Would anybody chastise Tom Brady or Aaron Rodgers if they missed an appearance because it was a week before the playoffs?
ReplyDeleteA little perspective goes along way to curing ignorance.