By Dave Lewandowski
indy500.com
Monday, July 17, 2006
Hornish White House Chat | 2007 Indy Tickets!
Of all the prizes and benefits Sam Hornish Jr. has received so far from winning the 90th Indianapolis 500, meeting President George W. Bush will top the list.
Hornish, whose daring frontstretch pass of Marco Andretti in the May 28 classic earned an ESPY Award nomination for "Best Championship Performance," will join team owner Roger Penske, Marlboro Team Penske crew members and the Borg-Warner Trophy on July 18 at the White House for a formal photo opportunity and chat with Bush.
"I'm really excited to go to the White House; it's a great honor," said Hornish, a native of Defiance, Ohio, who resides in nearby Napoleon, Ohio. "Not even every Indy 500 winner gets that opportunity. As much as I love being an American and living in this country and as much history as there is, I'd be as excited to go even if I wasn't able to meet the president."
The group will gather in the Diplomatic Reception Room, with the meeting with the president being held shortly afterward.
Bush will have just returned from the G-8 Summit in St. Petersburg, Russia, where leaders from Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, the United Kingdom, the United States and the European Union discussed continued cooperation on a broad range of international economic, security, and political issues.
"Last year I went to the Lincoln Memorial and the Washington Monument and that was pretty cool stuff, and this is going to be even neater," Hornish said. "It's been a great year for us."
Hornish also will participate at noon (ET) in the "Ask the White House" chat (submit a question at www.whitehouse.gov/ask/question2.html) and meet with U.S. Rep. Paul Gillmor, who represents Hornish's district. Last month, Gillmor introduced a resolution to the House of Representatives to honor Hornish for winning the 500-Mile Race.
After competing in the ABC Supply Co AJ Foyt Indy 225 on July 23 at The Milwaukee Mile, Marlboro Team Penske driver Hornish will be the guest of honor during "Sam Hornish Day" on July 26 in Defiance. Activities include a parade at 6 p.m. (ET).
"That's a little bit awkward; probably more awkward than going to the White House," Hornish said. "You don't think of as a kid too many people having a parade for you, and even if you're a member of a sports team usually they have a parade for the whole team. So this is a little weird.
"I'll have fun with it. We have a lot of great fans from northwest Ohio who come and support us. We have a great fan following, and I feel it's something more for them than me."
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2007 Indianapolis 500 tickets, special offer: The 91st Indianapolis 500 is scheduled for Sunday, May 27, 2007. Fans are encouraged to submit their ticket applications for the race to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway as soon as possible. The most convenient, fastest method is online at www.indianapolismotorspeedway.com.
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