Washington, DC (Sports Network) - President Barack Obama welcomed NASCAR drivers and former champions at the White House Wednesday in a ceremony honoring three-time defending Sprint Cup Series champion Jimmie Johnson. Tramon Williams Jersey. Obama spoke just outside the South Portico of the White House, with drivers from last years "Chase for the Sprint Cup" lined up next to the President and Johnsons No.48 Chevrolet parked on the driveway. "It is not every day that we have a championship stock car parked out on the South Lawn," Obama jokingly said during his speech. "Fortunately, we got Jimmie to agree not to do any burnouts or tear up my backyard. I also suggested to Jimmie that, in exchange for free parking, he should let me take the 48 out for a few laps. He said that was fine, but Secret Service didnt think it was fine." Seven-time NASCAR Cup champion Richard Petty, as well as Oklahoma Gov. Brad Henry and Wounded Warriors from Walter Reed and National Naval Medical Center also partook in the event. Several former Presidents have also honored NASCAR champions and drivers in the past. "NASCAR is a uniquely American sport," Obama said. "Since its humble beginnings, when moonshiners raced on the sands of Daytona Beach during prohibition, its grown into a sport with tens of millions of fans here in America and around the world." NASCARs visit to the White House was originally scheduled for August 10, but a rain-delayed race at Watkins Glen, NY forced postponement of the ceremony. Authentic James Starks Jersey. Le directeur-général des Blue Jackets, Scott Howson, a annoncé que Commodore avait été envoyé dans les mineures et que léquipe avait rappelé le défenseur Grant Clitsome afin de le remplacer dans la formation. Commodore avait demandé à léquipe la semaine dernière de tenter de léchanger à une autre équipe et Howson a indiqué quil allait essayer de se plier à sa demande. Authentic Deion Branch Jersey. Petersburg, FL (Sports Network) - The Tampa Bay Rays have avoided arbitration with outfielder Gabe Gross, signing him to a one-year contract on Wednesday. Authentic John Kuhn Jersey. When the ballots were counted, Sedin knocked off the reigning, two-time MVP by just 60 votes to become the first player in the history of the Canuck franchise to claim the Hart Trophy. The first-place votes were just as close as Sedin received 46 to Ovechkins 40. Ryan Grant Jersey. -- Oakland Raiders coach Tom Cable will not be punished by the NFL after an investigation into allegations of domestic violence against women and a fight with an assistant coach. Clay Matthews Jersey. Dwayne Roloson made 38 saves as the Oilers started off a crucial five game homestand on a strong note, defeating the Dallas Stars 4-1 on Saturday night. ST. LOUIS - Paul Kariya has a lot to do with the St. Louis Blues being the NHLs worst team on home ice. For once, he played a key role in a happier ending. Kariya scored twice for his first goals at home in more than 15 months and the Blues recovered after blowing a two-goal cushion, beating the Detroit Red Wings 4-3 in a shootout on Tuesday night. Get the win first, but it was nice to get that monkey off my back at home, Kariya said. I dont know what happened there, but its behind us. Hopefully, they start flooding now. T.J. Oshie and Brad Boyes scored in the shootout for St. Louis, while goalie Chris Mason clinched it with a left pad save on Henrik Zetterberg in the third round. Jason Williams scored in the shootout for Detroit. They have a tough crew of shooters, but our guys did a great job of scoring and taking the pressure off, Mason said. I made a big save and that was the end of it. Kariya got credit for a deflection off David Perrons drive on the Blues first goal and added an assist for his second two-goal game of the season and sixth multipoint game of the season. Andy McDonald also scored in regulation for the Blues, who have had trouble protecting leads all season and had to rally playing on consecutive nights after losing 5-2 at Colorado on Monday. St. Louis is an NHL-worst 10-16-5 at home and have blown a lead in the third period eight times this season. Maybe we need to get less sleep the night before games, but we certainly had good energy and carried it in, Kariya said. They certainly got some lucky goals and lucky bounces. It was a disappointing they got a point out of there, but well take the two points, obviously. The Red Wings got goals from Pavel Datsyuk and Valtteri Filppula in the final 5:34 to force overtime. Johan Franzen had an assist in his first game back from a 55-game absence due to a left knee injury sustained in early October and Kris Draper gave the Redd Wings an early lead. Vince