[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: George H. W. Bush (1992, Book I)]
[July 4, 1992]
[Page 1079]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



Remarks to the Pepsi 400 Drivers and Owners in Daytona Beach, Florida

July 4, 1992
    Thank you all very much. Thank you guys for the welcome, appreciate 
it. Thank you very, very much. First off, let me just pay my respects to 
the France family. Bill's late dad was a friend, and we mourn his 
passing, a great guy, great for racing, a great American, the values 
always intact. So I wanted to mention that at the beginning of these 
very brief remarks.
    I salute the spirit of NASCAR, the spirit of racing. If there's ever 
a group of people that stood for what we call family values, American 
traditional values, it's this crowd I'm talking to right now. When I 
think of the Fourth of July, I count my blessings for our freedom. I 
know we've got some big problems in this country, but there's an awful 
lot right about the United States of America, too. And this spirit that 
you feel just the minute you get here expresses a lot about that.
    So I really wanted to pop in here, just wish you well, tell you I'm 
glad to be back. This is my third visit to a race in Daytona. Having 
been the grand marshal of the Daytona 500, why, I expect it's only 
downhill. But here I am as President of the United States; maybe that 
will help a little bit.
    But keep up the great work for American sports, American values. 
We're very, very proud of you. And as for Richard Petty Day or Richard 
Petty, number 43--they're saluting him all the way around the track 
here--I'm proud to be at his side on this very special day, too.
    Thank you all, and best of luck to all of you.

                    Note: The President spoke at 9:52 a.m. in Garage 42C 
                        at Daytona International Speedway. In his 
                        remarks, he referred to William C. France, 
                        president of the National Association for Stock 
                        Car Auto Racing (NASCAR); the late William H.G. 
                        France, founder of NASCAR; and all-time champion 
                        driver Richard Petty, who was participating in 
                        his final race at Daytona International 
                        Speedway.