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August 4, 2008

Driving for GOP votes

Wife of U.S. Sen. McCain combines campaigning with visit to Long Pond for track tour, pace-car laps.

By Steve Mocarsky smocarsky@timesleader.com
Staff Writer
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LONG POND – Cindy McCain revved up some potential voters – and at least one NASCAR driver among them – for her husband’s presidential campaign Sunday at the Pennsylvania 500.

The wife of U.S. Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., who will face off against Barack Obama in the November election, shook hands with race fans as she toured the garage area, visited with driver Bobby Labonte and race officials in their respective trailers, attended the drivers’ meeting and took a couple laps around the track in the pace car.

McCain, who arrived at about 9:45 a.m. with her hair in a ponytail and wearing a pink three-quarter sleeve blouse, a pair of white Lucky brand jeans and a pair of Channel flats, began an outdoor tour of the track at about 11 a.m., guided by NASCAR President Mike Helton.

McCain’s first destination while walking through the garage area was NASCAR driver Labonte’s custom tractor-trailer, into which she and part of her entourage disappeared for a few minutes.

Later, after the noon drivers’ meeting, Labonte said he was “pleasantly surprised” when Helton brought McCain by his trailer.

“I was glad we weren’t doin’ nothin’ stupid up there,” he said with a grin.

Labonte said it was “a great honor” to have McCain stop by his trailer.

“We really do appreciate that. It was a pleasure meeting her. She’s real nice and seemed very down-home. Obviously, her husband is busy campaigning, and so she’s helping out too … We got to meet her up in the lounge and talk to her for a few minutes and wish them well in her endeavors,” Labonte said.

Without hesitating, Labonte said “of course” he knows who he’ll be voting for in the fall – “It’s John McCain.”

But Cindy McCain’s visit didn’t influence his decision, Labonte said.

“I figured that one out a long time ago,” he said of his preference in the presidential race.

After the visit with Labonte, McCain stopped in the race officials’ trailer for a few minutes before continuing her tour through the garage area, where she shook hands with race fans who appeared to be thrilled to meet her.

“I’m definitely supporting (John) McCain. Living in my area, you have no choice but to vote Republican,” said Doug Sweetman, a NASCAR fan from Wayne, N.J., who shared a handshake and a few words with McCain.

When McCain stopped to talk with the media before the drivers’ meeting, she called herself “a car racing fan.”

“It doesn’t necessarily have to be NASCAR, but today it’s NASCAR, and I’m thrilled to be here. It’s the first time I’ve been to the Poconos, so this is a real treat for me,” McCain said.

McCain said she enjoys racing, and the sport has been “a big part of my family for a long time.”

“I’m excited. I like those Corvettes,” McCain said before leaving to take some laps in the pace car.

“My son is very jealous because that would be something he would like to do. He and I both do this together a little bit. We built a racecar together – drift racing – and we’ve done a little bit of that. So he’s very jealous that he’s not here with me today,” McCain said.

Steve Mocarsky, a Times Leader staff writer, may be reached at 459-2005.

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