By Matt Courson, Staff Writer
MARTINSVILLE, VA. — President Donald J. Trump honored NASCAR team owner Roger Penske with one of the nation’s highest civilian awards, the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Thursday in the Oval Office at The White House.
“Receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom really is something special. And, to me, it means more than any business success or motorsports trophy,” Penske said.
Mr. Penske’s NASCAR drivers: Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Brad Keselowski all expressed their congratulations after the award was presented.
Reigning champion Joey Logano took to twitter to express his congratulations. “This is so awesome! [It’s] great to see another incredible and well earned honor for the Captain!”
Brad Keselowski said to Kickin’ The Tires that visiting The White House is a big deal, regardless of the President’s political affiliation.
“I’m happy for him,” Keselowski said. “He’s certainly done so much in his life. I don’t know how he’s done it, but he deserves the credit for it.”
Ryan Blaney couldn’t think of anyone more deserving than the Captain himself.
“[It’s] the highest civilian award you can get and that’s pretty amazing,” Blaney told Kickin’ The Tires. ” It just shows what he’s done for so long, how great of a person he is outside of motorsports, and what he’s done for his country and his community. “It’s really incredible. That was really neat to see.”