Local NASCAR Driver, Rochester Hills Mayor Meet President Obama

With the military band playing an assortment of automobile-themed song selections, NASCAR Sprint Cup Champion and Rochester Hills native Brad Keselowski was honored Tuesday by President Barack Obama.

Keselowski was joined on the South Lawn by Rochester Hills Mayor Bryan Barnett, who received an invitation from the White House.

Barnett said following the ceremony, he had a few minutes of face time with the president. 

"It was a very cool event and I'm glad to have been there," Barnett said.

Barnett said he is proud of Keselowski's accomplishments as a driver on the national stage and indicated he has reached out to Keselowski in the past to thank him for representing Rochester Hills. He said he and Keselowski chatted for several minutes and that the driver appeared pleased that a representative from Rochester Hills was in attendance.

In his remarks, Obama credited Keselowski and his crew on their teamwork leading to their 2012 Sprint Cup win.

According to Barnett, the ceremony to honor Keselowski struck a somber note as Obama updated the media contingent at the event on the aftermath of the previous day's Boston Marathon bombing. 

Still, Barnett said, the president offered a moment of levity when he said Keselowski offered to give him a spin on the South Lawn in his race car. Obama joked that the Secret Service nixed that idea.