Stewart gets lesson on Oval Office decor

NEW YORK -- For much of Tony Stewart's 25-minute visit with President George W. Bush Monday the conversation centered on the Oval Office d?cor.

But don't think for one minute that the most powerful man in America didn't slide in a sly request for a second date at his home state's venue, Texas Motor Speedway.

"That got brought up, yeah," said Stewart with a grin. "We always enjoy going to Texas. When we race there, the hospitality of Texas has always made it what it is. There's nothing special about the racetrack. It's the people that make it special."

Texas race fans know their business. W is no different.

PHOTO GALLERY  Check out all the photos from Tony Stewart's appearance Tuesday on the Today show.

"He seems to be pretty knowledgeable about racing," Stewart said. "I was pretty impressed."

Stewart understands all too well that his visit Monday was the rarest of luxuries. Bush explained to the group the meaning behind his office's interior decoration.

"He spent a lot of time with us, showed us the Oval Office and explained to us that each rug in the Oval Office is done per President," Stewart said. "He explained to us what went into making his rug.

"And with the artwork on the walls, each President has his choice on what artwork to put up there and a lot of the scenes and pictures and portraits were of Texas.

"He explained why and how he decorated the way he did. It kind of puts a personal touch to your visit. It's not like you just walk into a room. You walk in and learn why it was done that way, that's a neat touch that most people never get to see."

Stewart was joined on the visit by his girlfriend, Jaime Schaffer; team owner Joe Gibbs and his wife, Pat; crew chief Greg Zipadelli and his wife, Nan; and The Home Depot President/CEO Robert L. Nardelli.

"It was an awesome experience standing in the Oval Office, and we were very fortunate to be in the same room as the President," Gibbs said. "All of us were very impressed by how approachable he was. We were all excited, especially Tony."

During the visit, Stewart presented the President with a Home Depot racing helmet.

"It was just a very good visit with the President. Very special," Stewart said. "You know, nobody tape-recorded anything, it was just us talking in there. The pictures we took will last a lifetime, but the memories of the conversations in there are what's going to be special."