Tony Stewart, Who Declined Obama's Invitation, Is NASCAR Champion

Just so you know, for those of you who don’t watch NASCAR racing, the season championship was decided today at the Miami-Homestead Speedway. In this CDN article by Benjamin Wallace, he says that President Obama invited eleven NASCAR drivers to the White House. The offer was declined by five of the eleven: Carl Edwards (car #99), Kurt Busch (22), Tony Stewart (14), Kevin Harvick (29), and Greg Biffle (16). While Greg Biffle did not make the “chase” (NASCAR’s version of a playoff), three of the four drivers who declined the invitation are atop the points standings. Only Kurt Busch (who finished well back today) is not in the top three in championship points.

Tony Stewart (14) is the champion. He and Carl Edwards (99) finished the season tied in points, but Stewart had the edge in the tie breaker (5 victories this season to 1). Kevin Harvick (29) finished third in the points. Oh, Tony Stewart won the race, and Carl Edwards finished second.

Who says politics and racing don’t mix?

BTW, just like in any sport, NASCAR drivers are entertainers who are highly skilled. Just like in any sport, they make the difficult look easy. There are also two other factors to consider. First, racing (especially in NASCAR but in any form of racing) is a team sport. Second, EVERY lap run is different from the previous lap. There is a lot more going on that just “driving around in circles.”

BTW2, we learn from Cindi that Michelle Obama, grand marshal for the race, was booed by NASCAR fans.

BTW3, much to Rich Mitchell‘s disappointment (;-), there were no “epic, tire-screeching, fiberglass-spewing, spark-generating crashes.” Just good debating, I mean racing.