Tim, I was there at Daytona 30 years ago on July 4, 1984 and had been invited to President Reagan's picnic following that other deal that happened a little earlier. I had shipped all these huge dark blue banners with white lettering from Dallas to Daytona that read "7-Eleven Welcomes President Reagan." Jim Foster of International Speedway Corp. had my banners strung all along the inside of the "Sportsman Garage" that had been sealed off and hidden from view with dark fabric placed all along the chain link fencing. I "think" I had the only banners there welcoming the President. I wasn't smart enough, though, to make banners congratulating that other fellow on his accomplishment that day!
Ironically, my future brother-in-law was aboard Air Force One that day serving in the Air Force security aboard the President's plane.
Two extremely memorable things happened at that private picnic besides old adversaries Richard & Bobby sharing KFC while the snipers on the roof of the Daytona grandstands and the roof of the dog track looked down at us from their perches:
1) Bill France, Senior introduced President Reagan from the podium and asked, "Ronnie, what is all this old man s***??!!"
2) A band began to play the famed Tammy Wynette tune "Stand by Your Man." Suddenly, the curtain parted and Tammy herself walked out, embraced the President, and personally sung her great tune to Reagan as he beamed that famous smile of his from ear to ear! It brought down the house!
I felt so fortunate that my wife, Joyce had accompanied me to Daytona that year. It was the most memorable day we ever experienced in auto racing.
I shall leave TMC-Chase to fill in on those other happenings at the Daytona track 30 years ago today!
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"Any Day is Good for Stock Car Racing"
