John McCain addresses prerace drivers meeting

Republican presidential candidate John McCain addresses the crowd as wife Cindy looks on

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Republican Presidential candidate John McCain thanked NASCAR for its support of the military as he spoke during the prerace drivers meeting Sunday at New Hampshire Motor Speedway.

McCain was a couple of minutes late, and the drivers and crew chiefs remained in their seats waiting for him after their prerace instructions had ended. When he arrived with NASCAR President Mike Helton, the drivers and crew chiefs gave him a standing ovation.

McCain was joined by Boston Red Sox pitcher Curt Schilling, a major supporter of the candidate.

“I just want to say thank you [for the ovation], but most of all I want to thank you for your support for the men and women in the military," McCain said. “It’s remarkable. It’s uplifting to these young people. When I am in Iraq and Afghanistan, they’re watching you. You are their role models. You are their heroes. And they are ours.

“So I just want to say that NASCAR and the heroes and the competitors and the teams are supporting the men and women who are serving in the most exemplary fashion – I thank you, God bless you and God bless America."