Remarks made by President
Barack Obama honoring reigning Sprint Cup Series champion Kevin Harvick and his
team
THE PRESIDENT:
Hello, everybody! Please have a seat. Welcome to the White House on
this beautiful day. And congratulations to Kevin Harvick, the 2014 NASCAR
Sprint Cup champion. Hey! (Applause.) It is always wonderful
to have the NASCAR family here. We’ve got huge fans in the White House,
and we’ve got some big fans, including some members of Congress who are here.
It’s great to have
Kevin’s crew chief, Rodney Childers, who is here. We’ve also got Greg
Zipadelli – almost messed it up there; it’s like Obama, too many vowels. And
the team from Stewart-Haas Racing. NASCAR’s leadership is here as
well. Brian France is here and Mike Helton. Welcome back.
And even though the
Budweiser Chevy got the White House parking pass this year, I am sure Tony
Stewart doesn’t mind adding another Owner’s Championship to his
collection. So congratulations to Tony.
I also want to offer my
condolences to everybody in the NASCAR community on the passing of a legendary
reporter and broadcaster, Steve Byrnes. And I know a lot of fans’ thoughts
and prayers today are with his wife, Karen, and his son, Bryson.
We are here to celebrate,
though, Kevin Harvick. This was an exciting year for the “Four Car.” As
the season started, Kevin had a new team, a new crew chief to adjust to. It
usually takes a little time for a driver and a crew chief to find their groove,
but Kevin and Rodney seemed to figure out each other in a hurry -- sort of like
when Joe Biden joined my team.
So they had instant
chemistry. And as Kevin can tell you, when you have a trusted partner
shouting world-class advice into your ear at every turn, you can’t lose.
It wasn’t long before
Kevin and Rodney and the team behind the Budweiser Chevy were firing on all
cylinders. ut the season was not without its ups and downs. By the
second race in the season, Kevin had picked up his first checkered flag with
Stewart-Haas. And then came a tough stretch – the kind where most
championship seasons are forged. There were blown tires, engine failures, cut
oil lines, a slew of obstacles that held the “Four Car” from finishing any
higher than 36th in three out of four straight races.
But Kevin and Rodney
stuck with it, and by the time the Chase rolled around, this team was
ready. A win at Homestead capped a season where Kevin picked up five wins,
led more laps than anybody on the grid – picking up his first Sprint Cup
championship.
And by the looks of it,
with two quick wins and the points lead already in place, 2015 isn’t shaping up
to be too much different.
Kevin has also found the
time to match his contributions on the track with his commitment to family and
community away from racing. His wife, DeLana, and his son, Keelan, are
constant presences on the track. And I know at one point, DeLana even had
her own fire-suit. I’m sure it looked better than it did on Kevin. And
I’m sure that if Michelle decided we were going to start wearing matching
outfits, it would be me who adapted to her style.
Together, Kevin and
DeLana run the Kevin Harvick Foundation, which aims to help underprivileged
youth to excel both as students and as athletes. From helping his hometown Boys
and Girls Club in Bakersfield, California renovate a gym and a playground, to
supporting programming which prevents bullying and violence in his former high
school, Kevin – like so many others across NASCAR – is working to make a
difference.
So, Kevin,
congratulations to you again for an outstanding season. The whole team at
Stewart-Haas Racing, keep up the great work. NASCAR, looking forward to
seeing more excitement on the track.
Thank you so much.
