Auto racing filled with uniquely American moments

	Alan Kulwicki was one of five drivers to honor Desert Storm troops by racing with American service colors at Daytona in '91. George Tiedemann/SI

Auto racing is part of the fabric of the United States. As the nation pauses to celebrate its birthday, it is a good time to remember some patriotic times in racing. Here's a list of great red, while and blue moments.

The President meets the King: For many years, NASCAR's annual July race at Daytona was named the Firecracker 400. The race held on July 4, 1984 had more fireworks than most, starting with the presence of President Ronald Reagan. The Commander-in-Chief watched Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough battle it out for the win, often going fender to fender in the last few laps. Petty's win was a milestone, his 200th career victory. It also turned out to be the final victory of his career. Two lasting images from the race: 1. Air Force One taking off behind the backstretch; and 2. the President and the King eating fried chicken out of a bucket of KFC.

Dale Jr.'s storybook finish: The Firecracker 400 is now called the Pepsi 400 and it is held on the first Saturday after the Fourth of July, but that didn't change the charged emotions of the holiday race in 2001. The Cup series was racing at Daytona for the first time since the death of Dale Earnhardt Sr. in the '00 Daytona 500. So who wins? Earnhardt Jr. storms through the field and rallies from sixth place with just six laps remaining. "Y'all know who that's for, guys," Earnhardt Jr. said over his in-car radio after he crossed the finish line.

Racing back after 9/11: -- After the 9/11 terrorist attacks, NASCAR postponed the New Hampshire 300 until Nov. 23, the day after Thanksgiving. The first race NASCAR held after the tragedy was the MBNA Cal Ripken Jr. 400 at Dover, and it was an emotional event. Several cars carried special paint schemes and there was a moment of silence before the race. Earnhardt Jr. won the event, then waved a huge American flag out of his window as he drove a reverse victory lap.

An American wins F/1 title: In 1961, Phil Hill became the only American-born driver to win the Formula One championship. He also won the 24 Hours of LeMans and the Italian Grand Prix that year.