NASCAR's Jimmie Johnson Congratulated by President Obama At The White House

President Obama welcomed Jimmie Johnson and other 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers to the White House to honor Jimmie Johnson’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.


Said President Obama, "Jimmie’s talent has been to make a very difficult, demanding sport look easy. But this year, the Number 48 team also showed its toughness. They entered the last race of the Chase trailing, and ended up pulling off an extraordinary comeback."

Johnson was joined by Denny Hamlin, Matt Kenseth, Kyle Busch, Jeff Gordon, Clint Bowyer, Kurt Busch and Jeff Burton.



Johnson presented the president with driving gloves he wore during a race he won in Las Vegas.

"I don't get to drive much anymore these days", said the president, joking that he would use the gloves when he drove 'Golf Cart One', a golf cart used by the president at Camp David.

The President recognized the efforts by Johnson and NASCAR to give back to their community as part of their visit, continuing the tradition begun by President Obama of honoring athletes and sports teams for their efforts on and off the field.

Last month, the drivers and staff toured Walter Reed hospital, served dinner to 400 wounded warriors and their loved ones. NASCAR has been a huge supporter of the Joining Forces program instituted by First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden in upport of military families. Today, Johnson made a special visited the Pentagon. Later this week, NASCAR will once again honor the U.S. military and first responders in Richmond the night before the anniversary of 9/11.

The Sprint Cup Championship is a 36-race season running from February to November. After 26 races, the point standings are realigned and the top 12 drivers compete evenly in the “Chase for the Sprint Cup”, a 10 race shootout for the championship.

This is Jimmie Johnson’s fifth consecutive win since 2006.President Obama welcomed Jimmie Johnson and other 2010 Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup drivers to the White House to honor Jimmie Johnson’s NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Championship.

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