Zach Catanzareti, Staff Writer
WASHINGTON, D.C — Tuesday, April 30, was a special day for many people in the United States Capitol as defending Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series champion Joey Logano was honored at the White House in an annual meeting with President Donald Trump.
Behind the stage, however, were others who soaked up the experience of the capital while covering the event as journalists.
We spoke with six of those reporters, who span from TheRacingExperts.com, Frontstretch.com, Performance Racing Network and us at Kickin’ The Tires to get their thoughts on what it truly means to man a presidential day.
Kyle McFadden, 23 years old, The Racing Experts
“The grass here is some of the greenest grass I’ve ever seen in my life. It’s kind of a dream come true. Every little kid wants to go to the White House. I am right here, right now. It’s pretty freakin’ cool to see our president speak in person.
“It was just an amazing experience.”
Davey Segal, 22 years old, Frontstretch
“My situation is a little different because I’m a local kid. The White House is literally, no traffic, 20 minutes from my house. Living here, I feel I take it for granted because you have the monuments all around you. It’s one of the most historic cities in the world. It’s literally in my back yard.
“I’m the complete opposite of a political guy, that’s why I got into sports and NASCAR specifically. Regardless of your political affiliation, whether or not you like President Trump, I think it’s really cool that people like us get the opportunity to be at the White House. It’s cool that NASCAR comes to the forefront of things, at least for one day of the year, in the political sphere of things.
“A really cool event all-around. As long as NASCAR is around and the White House is around, those two will be linked when things like this come around.”
Dominic Aragon, 24 years old, Racing Experts
“It’s fun to be back for the second year in a row — I wasn’t even sure if I was coming this year. I always look at it as a small-town kid in New Mexico who gets to come here to the White House. This is the nation’s capital and getting to go and live my dream working in NASCAR.
“It’s something I don’t take for granted. I feel very blessed and thankful, I have a lot of people behind me with family and friends who were wanting me to do this. To be here is just amazing. I love this so much and I definitely don’t take it for granted.
“We see all this stuff on TV — there is live-shot row, the media press room. We got to see some international press conferences today with some politicians. Just soaking it all in. I hope to do this again next year.”
Justin Melillo, 28 years old, Racing Experts
“It’s incredible. I’ve never been to the White House before. The last time I was in D.C. it was probably around 14 years ago. Just to be here and make it work to be here, I’ve taken a lot of it in.
“The event was very special. Man, I just love NASCAR. I want to be anywhere where there is NASCAR.”
Steve Richards, PRN
“It’s exhilarating. This time, because we got to see people like [White House national security adviser] John Bolton, [Senate Minority Leader] Chuck Schumer, [House Majority Leader] Nancy Pelosi — either you agree or disagree with their politics, they’re still national world figures.
“It’s just a bonus to see those people and to see the media cover them along with Joey Logano.
“I’m surprised more of our regulars don’t come here. I don’t know if it’s because of budget situations, political situations. It doesn’t matter who the president is, it’s just cool to the
Matt Courson, 20, Kickin’ The Tires
“I’ve been to D.C. many times sight-seeing. I remember sitting at those gates [outside the White House lawn] probably 15 years ago and would never imagine I’d get to go inside, let alone to go inside the press room, cover a national story, work in a national sport, get to see a sitting U.S. president with my own two eyes was extremely humbling.
“It was an honor and a privilege to be standing on the property of the United States White House.”