News
Randleman, NC-August 19, 2009—Some campers from Victory Junction had the opportunity of a lifetime when they boarded a private plane to Washington, D.C to meet President Obama at the White House!
The campers left from the Davidson County Airport in Lexington at 11:30 a.m. Before meeting the President, the group went sightseeing on a bus tour around Washington, DC . For many, this was their first trip to the Nation’s Capital.
President Obama welcomed current and former NASCAR Champions to the White House for “Champion’s Week” on Wednesday, August 19th. Victory Junction co-founder, Kyle Petty, along with some lucky Victory Junction campers, were also in attendance to represent the “Philanthropic Arm” of NASCAR. They, along side of NASCAR Sprint Cup Driver, Juan Pablo Montoya, had a private meet and greet in the White House China Room. The President took time to speak with each of the seven campers individually during their twenty-minute meeting. “At 10, 12, 14 years old, you can say ‘I met the President, so I can do anything I want to in life.’ So I think it’s another empowering moment for them,” says Petty about the campers’ Presidential experience.
While this was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for some campers, others were meeting their second President of the United States! Hank Grissom and Morgan Sagerman both met President George Bush when he visited the camp back in 2006. "I'm definitely proud, and it gives me a lot of swagger in my step that makes me proud to be alive, happy to be me. It’s something I can tell my grandkids about," said Grissom.
After meeting President Obama, the campers and their families were invited to stay for a ceremony that honored the 2008 Sprint Cup Champion, Jimmie Johnson. Petty says, “It’s cool when you honor a champion like Jimmie, but when these kids have the opportunity to meet someone like President Obama, that’s going to be a special day for them.” Other Sprint Cup Drivers in attendance were Carl Edwards, Tony Stewart, Clint Bowyer, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Gordon. The campers were just as excited to meet some of the drivers as they were to meet the President!
The group ended their exciting trip to D.C with a trip to the local Johnny Rockets for hamburgers, then it was back on the plane and heading home to North Carolina.
