Sports

Are NASCAR Drivers Really Blowing Off White House Invite to Meet With Obama?

NASCAR Drivers Blow Off White House Invite

Five NASCAR drivers turned down President Barack Obama's invitation to the White House next week. (Media credit: The Turbo Blog)

President Barack Obama is set to honor 12 top NASCAR drivers at the White House next week — but five of them have reportedly turned down the invitations.

SB Nation reports:

President Barack Obama will honor NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and the 11 other Chase drivers from last year in a White House ceremony on Wednesday – but nearly half of the 2010 playoff contenders won’t be there.

NASCAR said Thursday that five drivers – Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart – will not be attending the White House visit due to “schedule conflicts.”

The president traditionally extends White House invites to champion athletes and sports teams, honors that are very rarely turned down, let alone by nearly half of the invitees.

This latest news may further bolster a study that found Republicans are more likely to watch NASCAR than Democrats are.

But AP is giving a few more details on at least one driver’s excuse:

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) — NASCAR stars Tony Stewart and Greg Biffle say they can‘t attend next week’s visit to the White House because of scheduling conflicts. Both insist they mean no disrespect toward President Obama.

Both drivers have been to the White House before and met the president. In fact, Biffle says he has a picture shaking hands with Obama on display in his office.

Biffle says he couldn’t get out of a two-day appearance for main sponsor 3M in Minnesota next week. Stewart won’t reveal where he will be but says he would have accepted the invitation if possible.

The president invited NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and 11 other drivers who made the Chase last year. Kevin Harvick and Carl Edwards also say they can’t attend.

The snub also comes at the end of a tough week for White House invitations, with House Speaker John Boehner publicly denying Obama’s request to address a joint session of Congress next Wednesday and telling him to reschedule for the following day.

(h/t Gateway Pundit)

Comments (236)

1 2 3 ... 7
  • MiCurmudgeon
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:21pm

    I was always taught …..you earn respect.

    Report Post »  
    • PA PATRIOT
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:41pm

      As they should.
      Did he ever talk NASCAR?
      WTF He aint redneck nough.
      Hesan arrogant basterd.

      Report Post » PA PATRIOT  
    • M 4 Colt
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 7:05pm

      These drivers know who butters their bread, it’s regulator people like you and i, we are the ones who go to the races, buy the tee shirts, these drivers never really liked Obama they were just showing respect to the office of president and they also now see the winds of change are blowing for the Obama White House and they don’t want to be anywhere near a“losing team” they are winners and want to be known as such.

      Report Post »  
    • Restored One
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 7:06pm

      Good, I am glad to hear this! However, it would not surprise me that Johnson and Gordon would be steadfast to accept. They seem a bit lefty to me. Gordons main residence is in NY and he is best buds with Tom Cruise. Not to mention that Gordon was the voice of a car in Cars 2, which was total global warming propaganda.

      Report Post »  
    • travlman77
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 7:08pm

      PA,
      Thats “Basturd”

      Report Post » travlman77  
    • repugnicant
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 7:59pm

      The office of the POTUS does not need to earn the respect of a putz like you or anyone else. That is one thing that conservatives conveniently forgot. Respect the Office. You probably admire Joe Wilson.

       
    • turkey13
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:24pm

      Can’t figure why Matt Kensuth is going – drives a Ford. All those other guys that are going drive Governt. Motors product. I agree Gordon is way off in left filels and J. Johnson is the Champ so he has to go. If the G. Motors drivers didn’t go obama would cut there R&D money.

      Report Post »  
    • Walkaway
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:25pm

      I have a sudden respect for Nascar. Never really considered Nascar before.

      Report Post » Walkaway  
    • sissykatz
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:33pm

      Repug

      You finally got one right………I do at least admire Joe Wilson. After all he was right and knew it.
      If someone or anyone stands up and lies to your face and you know it is a lie they should be called on it.The man that is hanging his clothes in the White House does not deserve anyone’s respect.

      When a President of the United States stands on a stage and makes fun of all that is not his base he is not the Pres. of the United States, he is only Pres. to the one’s on the left. That is hardly the whole
      United States.

      Report Post »  
    • The-Monk
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:41pm

      Scheduling difference? Let me guess. The invite was scheduled on a NASCAR race day.

      Report Post » The-Monk  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:44pm

      Arizonans Love NASCAR …..OORAH !!!

      and we don’t like Obama, Makes sense to Me…

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
    • Sheepdog911
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:45pm

      Why would anyone in NASCAE want to hangout with a loser that thier constituents (fans) despise?

      Report Post » Sheepdog911  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:49pm

      He is trying to suck up to the sports heros of Southern whites in order to gain favor with them in the voting booth. What a POS phoney. There is nothing that he and his henchmen won’t try. Wow.

      Report Post »  
    • Phoenixsoulfire
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:50pm

      @ repugnicant

      You are right the POTUS should get our respect right of the bat and many of us did. Then he lost so now he has to earn. How did he lose you ask? I know you didn’t but I am going to tell you anyways.

      He shoved healthcare down our throats. He hangs around people who rather see this country destroyed and they love to quote Chairmen Mou. Plus Jesus said when you hang around certain kind of people you tend to be that way. I know it isn’t a direct quote but more like paraphrasing

      Report Post »  
    • bry
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:54pm

      Sissykatz…BRAVO!!

      Wilson earned my respect, but the posser in the WH, who would sink so low as to call Americans the “enemy” and mock people who disagree with his views, deserves respect from none.

      Report Post » bry  
    • GLOCKU
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:27pm

      Perfect!!!!! Me too!!!

      Report Post » GLOCKU  
    • ARELL
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:34pm

      The Office of the POTUS doesn’t invite people to the White House, the President does. The President, after elected, also must use his energy earning the respect of the citizenry, or leave the Office in disgrace; and this President is well on his way to doing the latter.

      Confusing respect for the honorable Office by paying homage to a disgraceful President creates the illusions the sycophant press utilizes to enable a tyrant. I don’t know the minds of the NASCAR drivers who declined the invite, but personally, I‘d decline for fear of the consequences of spitting on this President’s face.

      Report Post » ARELL  
    • izzy1127
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:40pm

      @restored one: So “Larry the Cable Guy” is a tree hugging left wing nut as well? He is the main star in Cars 2. But I do wish all the drivers would back out and just say, not for me. But I want hold it against them since that bastard Obama is the President.

      Report Post »  
    • On The Bayou
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:49pm

      Good, Obama could care less about NASCAR.

      Report Post » On The Bayou  
    • Knight Templar
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:56pm

      I admire Joe Wilson as well. He was right and I knew it.

      Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:59pm

      I’m surprised any of them will go. I remember that NASCAR endorsed G.W. Bush. The only one of the drivers I knew to be a CRAPPER, was Jeff Gordon.

      Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 10:01pm

      Oh, and Country Music endorsed G.W. Bush. I know that the Dixie Dongs and Tim McGraw and his wife are CRAPPERS.

      Report Post »  
    • lillymckim
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 10:04pm

      BTW Kurt Busch “rearranged” his schedule to accommodate Obama’s invitation maybe his car owner is a Democrat?

      but just like Kurt Busch..

      Report Post » lillymckim  
    • Wayne
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 10:29pm

      Obummer don’t deserve respect, he is the worst human being, and that thing hes married to also. Affirmative Action parasitic couple. they have paid big bucks to hid their background of everything. they are as fake as a three dollar bill.

      Report Post »  
    • TXPilot
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 11:25pm

      NASCAR has traditionally been a somewhat “redneck” sport….(and I say that with pride)…..The fans have always been some of the most conservative and patriotic Americans to be found, so it’s no wonder that some of these drivers are having second thoughts about meeting the most visible person who is destroying the country their fans whole dear, and risking alienating all those millions of supportive devotees.

      Report Post » TXPilot  
    • Jim C
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:48am

      If I were famous I wouldn’t want anyone to get the idea that I support him either. It is no different than when bruce springstein told the McCain / Palin to stop playing his tunes ce la vi

      Report Post »  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 9:22am

      All he (Obama) wants is an opportunity to get pictures taken with these drivers so he can exploit them. You’d see these pictures pasted all over NASCAR events, tracks, and car plants. Then you’d give the occasional stupid redneck (saying this as a reformed redneck) a chance to draw a mustache on Obama so the Tea Party can be accused of being racist. It would also drive a wedge between the fans and the drivers, thus less people would go to the races, driving our economy further into the ground.

      NASCAR is probably carrying the economy now in some sectors, just like football when it gets going.

      Report Post »  
    • hud
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 11:34am

      You reap what you sow.

      Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:20pm

      Yes, there‘s no doubt it’s a photo op for his re-election campaign .

      Report Post »  
    • Theleftisda
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:46pm

      @turkey13
      Careful what you say/Ford should have been put out of business a long time ago,they produce death traps they produce garbage you want to talk about government intervention?
      Ford has been allowed to murder for a long time (be very careful in what you say)
      I will take a fifty year old chevy block and spank anything Ford has ever made.

      Report Post » Theleftisda  
    • mudwhistle
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:03pm

      The left wants us to respect the office yet they forget how they showed no respect for the office during the Bush years. I think Obama deserves equal respect. Also he deserves the respect he showed us when he called us “Tea-baggers”.

      Report Post »  
    • TomFerrari
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 2:04pm

      @repug

      yes, the OFFICE does deserve respect – So WHY isn’t obama RESPECTING THE OFFICE???
      WHY is he abusing his term?
      WHY is he dividing America?
      WHY does he seem to SELL govt favors for campaign cash?
      WHY, oh, WHY????

      Oh, and if he were a KING, we WOULD be compelled to jump when he offers an invite.
      However, he is simply the current President.
      Nothing more.
      He is still a man.
      Nothing more.
      We are also men, and we are FREE men. FREE to ACCEPT or to DECLINE his invitation.

      That is why it is called an “INVITATION” and not a “COMMAND PERFORMANCE” like in the U.K.
      where they have a monarch (Queen or King).

      Alas, in spite of your fondest dreams, obama will never be anything more than our one-term President.
      He didn’t earn our respect or our trust, so he will never be elected again.

      Self-proclaimed blue dog democrats have long since fled this President in DROVES.
      NASCAR fans are, by and large, very conservative, whether Republican or Democrat.
      Those that are Democrat, I believe, are still, by-and-large, overwhelmingly self-described conservatives.

      obama was elected by the “organizing” of many small fringe groups, and by “activating” them, and by fooling many that WANTED to believe. He has now LOST pretty much all those who merely “wanted to believe”.

      Conservatives were not as well “organized”…
      but we are now.
      .
      .
      .

      Report Post » TomFerrari  
    • turkey13
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 5:31pm

      Gordon and Jimmy Johnson have to please the White House. Obama is after the rich and both of these drivers make over 14 Million $$$ a year. It all goes into their own foundations that give out money for certain causes. This means no income tax! Obama honered NFL NBA and Baseball champs in off season and the NASCAR drivers are about to staet the Chase – final 10 races for 2011.

      Report Post »  
    • FIREDUDE
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 6:35pm

      WHAT THE HELL ARE A BUNCH OF REDNECKS (talking about myself here) GOING TO DO AT A NIG’S HOUSE?????????

      Stay home the chicken aint like mama cooks!!!!!!!

      Report Post »  
  • ChiefGeorge
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:16pm

    Ya know these guys are always at the wheel breathing hot air why put themselves through any further torture for something they accomplished WAY last year. BHO+Hot Air=Gaseous Overload!!!

    Report Post » ChiefGeorge  
    • loriann12
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:35pm

      Tony has always been my driver! Now I have even more respect for him. If it was a president they actually respected, I bet they’d make room in their schedule, or rearrange it.

      Report Post »  
    • llotus
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:24pm

      repugnicant…….I respect Joe Wilson for saying what so many think. He may or may not have been wrong, but look at what he was responding to. Lotus.

      Report Post »  
  • dyaeger92
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:15pm

    Tony Stewart is the owner of the most well known and most popular dirt track in the country. The biggest race of the season for dirt late model stock cars is next weekend. Tony usually tries to be there to manage some of the activities.

    Report Post »  
    • lifeexperience
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 7:59pm

      I was just thinking he was going to be at a dirt track in western Ohio. At least he has his priorities straight.

      Report Post »  
    • Theleftisda
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 5:37pm

      Stewart is always busy he runs two nascar series/late mods/and the ultimate race cars on the planet with the world of outlaw sprint cars.he has no time for Ocommo.

      Report Post » Theleftisda  
  • Dinkiecb
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:14pm

    What??? These circle drivers can’t take the time to go see the King Obamama!! now what’s that gonna do to the King.. he’ll wanna take another vacation to go run these guys down to make em neel before him..while he watches the race on his teleprompter

    Report Post »  
  • HD Veteran
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:12pm

    Smart red-necks if they do pass him by!!

    Report Post » HD Veteran  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:28pm

      NASCAR Fan‘s are True American Patriot’s..

      Bama should know that and NOT his base..

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
  • clingingtogodandguns
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:12pm

    I’d meet with him turn around and drop trow and leave a big pile of s@@t on his carpet and say thank you for turning the greatest country in the world into s@@t.

    Report Post »  
  • majorsco
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:12pm

    NASCAR is for real Americans, not those urban socialistic egg heads that plot global domination. NASCAR drivers reflect the feelings of many Americans and they should be applauded.

    Report Post »  
    • chfields62
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:28pm

      AMEN!!! Well said….This is one of the reasons I love NASCAR

      Report Post »  
    • chris3
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:40pm

      um, have you watched a race lately? pc is in and so are the green adds, let’s hope nascar and the owners realize we will not accept garbage from the left! this includes you corn farmers and ethynol !!! have you seen our food prices? we don’t need to burn or food! and it’s no better than foodstamps to get paid to “not farm land” or take 3 gallons of gas/diesel to make 1 gallon of fuel,get over it.

      Report Post »  
  • TeaPartyPatriot
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:12pm

    SHAME on those drivers who would grovel to OBOZO – who has done more to destroy the lives of their fans than anyone else on Earth.

    Report Post » TeaPartyPatriot  
    • ddg7
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 7:23pm

      Anyone know who sponsors the cars of the drivers who are going?

      Report Post »  
    • Justathinkin
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 7:48pm

      @ DDG7

      I was thinking the same thing. Follow the money and you’ll find answers.

      Report Post »  
    • INOGAWD
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:09pm

      The DOJ will probably have a new task next week, checking out

      the Driver‘s and Sponsor’s who dissed the Bozo.. Gibson……

      This Admin has to go… I think Fast and Furious might do it..

      Report Post » INOGAWD  
    • Mil-Dot
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 9:31pm

      Any driver that I see going to kiss Obama’s ring I will forever consider them POS. But, I know that corp sponsers will force many to go against their will. I know that. They have families to feed just like everybody else. Obama is a low life snake. He knows the corp goons will force them to go. Anything to poke whitey in the eye.

      Report Post »  
    • Viet Vet
      Posted on September 3, 2011 at 1:25pm

      @INOGAWD

      Bill Klinton used the IRS to go after his enemies.

      Report Post »  
  • chips1
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:09pm

    Once you have your picture taken with B.O. it will probably be all over the internet. That’s the same mistake Weiner made. It will follow you the rest of your life.

    Report Post »  
  • bankerpapaw
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:08pm

    The man-child will make an executive order shutting down NASCAR because they are putting too much
    carbon monoxide into the atmosphere. Al Gore will be the czar in charge.

    Report Post »  
    • Bill Rowland
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 8:00pm

      The only king in NASCAR is King Richard (Petty) the drivers and fans do not recognize any other royalty.

      Would love to habe King Obumbler shut NASCAR down, then he would have a redneck uprising that would make his planned race riots look like school yard touch football game.

      The Nascar fans are also gun owners (often multiple guns) and are shooters who know what to do with a gun.

      All hail King Obumpler the First.

      Report Post »  
  • cookcountypatriot
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:06pm

    im sure he never heard of nascar while he was bee bopping here in chicago..its a pr stunt for votes..

    Report Post » cookcountypatriot  
    • sweathog1948
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:14pm

      Totally agree. He would probablly lwould not lower himself to go to a race.

      Report Post »  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:04pm

    You KNOW the REAL REASON Obama wants to meet with them, right?

    IT’S A PHOTO OP!

    HE needs to rev up some VOTES!
    (PUN INTENDED)

    Come on Nascar- STAND TOGETHER & FIRM…DON’T MEET WITH THAT %$#$*)_.

    Report Post »  
  • let us prey
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:00pm

    Mr. thin skin will probably move quickly to clamp down on the environmental hazards this sport is blamed for. He will outlaw internal combustion engines and that will be that. We will be stuck with ultra feminine broadway crap musicals for enjoyment.

    Report Post » let us prey  
  • Man Up America
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:00pm

    They don‘t want to meet him and he doesn’t want to meet them. It’s a BS PR stunt anyway, only no one is buying the BS anymore.

    Report Post » Man Up America  
  • onepucknut
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:59pm

    They may turn LEFT on the track but most of them rather go to the RIGHT when it comes to politics!

    Report Post » onepucknut  
    • biohazard23
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:06pm

      This is almost enough to make me start watching NASCAR…..

      Report Post » biohazard23  
    • VermontPatriot
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:40pm

      NASCAR is ok…..I like my local short track racing much better.

      We may have very short racing seasons, but they are awesome!

      Report Post » VermontPatriot  
  • Michael Stephens
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:57pm

    How can we build jobs in this country, when we treat companies lke Gibson this way. Obama wake up.

    Report Post »  
    • Patriot12
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:01pm

      Doesnt Obama have more important things to do anyway?

      Report Post »  
    • ProbIemSoIver
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:11pm

      Look for the publicly-shunned administration to unleash a few federal agencies Like DOT, to raid and seize the next NASCAR event, under the guise of some B.S. environmental infraction, like using “illegal” tires made in a third-world Country, with some exotic, endangered, “protected” type of rubber plant.

      Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
  • DagneyT
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:57pm

    I cannot say as I blame them. As much as I revere the office, I would be hard pressed not to sneer at this usurper-in-chief. I have no respect for him, and it would be like a flashing sign on my forehead! I have too much respect for the office to dishonor it…..he’s a whole different story.

    If they have scheduling conflicts, I can imagine they were on the phone to schedule something the minute they received the invite; so as to give credence to my claim for such. Just sayin……

    Report Post » DagneyT  
  • PoliticalJunkieToo
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:56pm

    I would turn Obama down also.

    If I saw him on the street doing interviews like he did Joe the Plumber, I would walk the other way.

    I don‘t want his hand soiling mine in a hand shake and I don’t want his lying Marxist words in my ears.

    Report Post »  
  • ProbIemSoIver
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:56pm

    I know I wouldn’t want to be seen in a photo with that debacle of a President. Especially a Muslim, Marxist, Anti-American, Saboteur and Community Divider.

    Report Post » ProbIemSoIver  
  • chazman
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:55pm

    … I’d blow off an invite as well …

    Report Post »  
  • car2box
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:55pm

    Hooray for the 5 that had scheduling conflicts and would not change them. Obama’s “my wish is your command” didn’t work.

    Report Post »  
  • neverending
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:55pm

    Of course they did because they are all THE REAL DEAL – they should lower themselves and waste their time on that bafoon!

    Report Post »  
  • wild72
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:53pm

    Can u blame them? Go Nascar!

    Report Post » wild72  
    • HKS
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:59pm

      This is a tough one, Highest respect for the Office of the President of the United States and I think it should always be so. Don‘t much care for who’s in it at the moment but with this one I think I have to go with the office. That would be an Honor regardless who sits there at the time.

      Report Post » HKS  
  • banjarmon
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:52pm

    GOOD for THEM!!!

    Report Post » banjarmon  
    • OhSuzieQ
      Posted on September 2, 2011 at 6:49pm

      Patriot12 said,
      “Doesnt Obama have more important things to do anyway?”

      Like what? He hasn’t done anything important so far!

      Report Post » OhSuzieQ  
  • eyestoseeearstohear
    Posted on September 2, 2011 at 5:52pm

    GREAT! Take a STAND…. DON’T MEET WITH OBAMA.

    Hat’s off to the Drivers who declined.

    Report Post »  
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