WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Obama on Wednesday took time out of his busy schedule to recognize three-time Sprint Cup Champion Jimmie Johnson at the White House. During his remarks at the event, the president gave a nod to NASCAR’s humble beginnings, describing “when moonshiners raced on the sands of Daytona Beach during prohibition." Obama praised the NASCAR community for its commitment to public service and philanthropy.

“After all, one of the core values of the NASCAR community is the belief that service isn’t just something you do once in a while when it’s convenient — it’s a way of life,” said the President. “I think Jeff Gordon put it best when he said, simply, "Any person out there should do something some way to give back to their community."

To see video footage and photos from the event, click here.