Johnson to celebrate title with return to White House

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Reigning Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson will make a return visit Tuesday to Washington, D.C., for a trip highlighted by a White House meeting with President George W. Bush.

Johnson will join the president in the Oval Office for a meeting and photo, a yearly tradition for whoever wins the Sprint Cup Series championship.

“As an American, it’s certainly an honor to visit the White House,” Johnson said. “I have been fortunate over the past few years to have met with President Bush and been a guest in the Oval Office -- which was amazing considering the history that took place in that room. I know [Tuesday’s] visit will be another great experience.”

After meeting with the president, Johnson will make a stop on Capitol Hill to meet with both the Senate and House side of the Capitol. First, Johnson will meet with Sen. Jon Kyl (R-Arizona) and other Senate leadership, followed by a visit to the House.

The day-long excursion will end with a visit with Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

The trip to the nation’s capitol has become a regular activity for Johnson, who last season became the first driver to win consecutive championships since 1998. This will be Johnson’s third visit to the White House. He previously went as part of the top 10 in 2003 and again in 2007 as a first-time champion.

The visit is part of a whirlwind week for Johnson. After testing last week at Las Vegas Motor Speedway and California Speedway, Johnson attended Super Bowl XLII in Arizona and on Saturday night will compete in the Budweiser Shootout at Daytona.