Diary Entry - 07/04/1984
Key Facts
President Reagan starts the "Firecracker 400" stock car race.
President Reagan greets and congratulates the winner of the "Firecracker 400" Richard Petty.
President Reagan attends the 18th Annual "Spirit of America" Festival.
We’re both off—in different directions—Nancy heading W. to S.F. & I’m going South. At 10 A.M. from A.F.1. I started the Daytona “Firecracker 400 Stock car Races.” We arrived there while there were still about 35 laps to go. They call them stockcars but they do about 200 miles per hour. By that stage of the race it takes a while to figure out what you should be watching for. There are cars all around the track. Finally I found the 2 who were fighting it out for 1st & then it got exciting. The winner is engaged in a program among drivers in behalf of Reagan-Bush. After the race there was a picnic in the infield—after the 100,000 fans had gone home. Then we left for Decatur Ala.—their annual “Spirit of Am.” festival. The crowd there was estimated at around 60,000 in an open park by the Tenn. river. I addressed the crowd & was well received. From there we went on to Huntsville for overnight. Talked to Nancy in S.F.
