By Dave Lewandowski
indy500.com
Monday, July 19, 2004
Photo Gallery | White House Chat Transcript
U.S. President George W. Bush made the analogy that much like Buddy Rice and Rahal Letterman Racing, he's the driver of the federal government that relies on teamwork.
"I can relate," said Rice, the 88th Indianapolis 500 winner who was one of several Rahal Letterman Racing members and Indy Racing League officials welcomed to the White House by the 43rd President on July 19. "It took the entire team to win the Indianapolis 500."
After a formal media session on the South Lawn that included photos with the No. 15 Argent/Pioneer Panoz G Force/Honda/Firestone and Borg Warner Trophy, President Bush invited the group into the Oval Office for an informal tour, "so we can relax."
"It was the pinnacle," said Rice, whose Victory Tour also has included throwing out the ceremonial first pitch at Yankee Stadium, ringing the closing bell at the New York Stock Exchange and appearances on the "Late Show with David Letterman" and "Live with Regis and Kelly."
Before warmly greeting the 500-Mile Race champion, President Bush met with Chile President Ricardo Lagos, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi of Malaysia and wounded American soldiers.
"It's really hard to put into words that I was able to shake hands with the most powerful man in the world, and that he took time out of his busy schedule and what's happening in the world today to meet with us," Rice said. "I was nervous at first, but he's a great guy and easy to get along with."
In the Oval Office, President Bush relayed a few stories about paintings of Presidents Washington and Lincoln and of his home state of Texas, and of the rug designed by First Lady Laura Bush. Then, as the hushed audience listened, he touchingly described the Oval Office visit earlier in the afternoon of seven Iraqi men who were fitted for prosthetics by an American donor after their right hands were cut off by former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein.
President Bush also made a point to mention that he was glad to see an American win the "Greatest Spectacle in Racing" for the first time since Eddie Cheever Jr. in 1998.
"That impressed me a lot," Rice said. "That shows his knowledge of the Indianapolis 500 and that he understands what's going on in the racing world.
"For a man of such stature and power, he put us right at ease. He's easier to talk to than some of the bosses I've had. He's here to make the world a better place, and when he's finished here he's not going to hang out but go back to Texas and do what he wants, which I think is extremely cool. I think that's what makes him so easy to understand and so likeable. He's a regular guy."
Rice presented President Bush a replica of the helmet he wore in the 500-Mile Race and an IRL IndyCar® Series car trophy fabricated at the Rahal Letterman Racing shop in Ohio.
"He asked how I fit into the cockpit, and I told him just like he used to fit into those fighter jet seats," said Rice, referring to the President's service in the Texas Air National Guard. "He was asking the crew members what there roles were on the team, and he wanted to know a little bit about everybody. He said that to make it work, you need teamwork."
Rice, the first Indianapolis 500 winner to visit the White House since Rick Mears in 1991, was only the third non-government or media member to participate in a brief online chat on www.whitehouse.gov. The group, which included IRL President and CEO Tony George and team co-owner Bobby Rahal, also toured public rooms of the White House. Rahal had been to the White House in the past, but not as an owner of a winning Indianapolis 500 car.
"I was fortunate to go to the White House previously, but this event is such a monumental moment for our Rahal Letterman Racing team," said Rahal, who won the 1986 Indianapolis 500. "I couldn't be happier for Buddy and the entire Argent Mortgage/Pioneer Honda squad. They enjoyed one of the best months ever at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, and to take that car and the team to the White House and meet the President is a great honor."
Share:
| Indianapolis 500 Talkback | Post Comment |
|
|
|