Mitt Romney will attend his second NASCAR race of the season on Saturday night at Richmond International Raceway, but his first since becoming the Republican presidential nominee.
Mitt Romney To Attend NASCAR Richmond Race Saturday Night
Romney has the public support of NASCAR executives and many drivers, but NASCAR said his role at the race is still undetermined (one report said Romney will serve as the grand marshal and give the order for drivers to fire their engines).
It’s unclear whether he’ll speak to the crowd or address the drivers in their pre-race meeting, as he did at the Daytona 500 (though the race was rained out). It was in Daytona where Romney infamously spoke of his friendship with NASCAR team owners while saying he didn’t know many drivers.
Last month, NASCAR CEO Brian France and NASCAR president Mike Helton helped host a fundraiser for Romney in Charlotte. Team owners Rick Hendrick and Richard Childress attended, along with driver Kurt Busch and Speedway Motorsports Inc. owner Bruton Smith.
When Romney was in Daytona, driver Brian Vickers acted as the candidate’s personal tour guide and escorted him through the Sprint Cup Series garage.
President Obama has never been to a NASCAR race, even as a candidate. He has hosted the Chase drivers on three occasions at the White House, however.
Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden attended last year’s season finale at Homestead and addressed the drivers in the pre-race meeting.
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