Joey Logano, No. 22 championship team, celebrate 2018 NASCAR title at The White House

WASHINGTON D.C. — On Tuesday, the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship team was honored by the President of The United States on the South Lawn at The White House.

The championship driver Joey Logano and team owner Roger Penske joined President Donald J. Trump on stage to celebrate the No. 22 team’s title victory in the 2018 Championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.

“Such an honor to speak here,” Logano said. “…This is a great reminder of what goes into our great country and our freedom.

“… I still can’t believe my car is here.”

This was the second time President Trump honored a NASCAR Cup Series champion at The White House. Last May, it was the 2017 Series Champion Martin Truex, Jr. who was honored.

President Trump opened the ceremony, speaking in detail of the accomplishments of not only the 2018 season, but also for Roger Penske’s entire career.

“To every member of this championship team, congratulations again on your amazing achievement,” President Trump said.

President Trump recalled how the trophy had become a temporary child holder for Joey and Brittany’s son, Hudson, during the championship celebration.

“It can’t be that one there,” President Trump said while pointing at a miniature version of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series trophy. The tiny trophy was later given to President Trump as a gift, along with a race-worn helmet, from the championship driver.

President Trump invited the champions to tour the Lincoln Bedroom before Logano was brought back out to the media on the North Lawn driveway to answer some questions from the media.

“It’s without being said that these moments are elite, they are special,” Logano said. “…These moments here, they make me dig a little harder.”

Dominic Aragon contributed to this story.