WV loves NASCAR

Once again, West Virginia will be well-represented at the beginning of the Coke 600 this weekend in Charlotte.

Governor Earl Ray Tomblin will be the grand marshal at the race and ride in the pace car.

But he's not the first. Then-Gov. now U.S. Sen. Joe Manchin dropped the ceremonial green in 2006 as honorary starter. Then, in 2008, WV House of Delegates speaker Rick Thompson did the same on the flagstand. 

In the pace car or on the flagstand? No choice in my book - Drop the green! At least you get seen there. In the pace car, everyone's watching the field behind you.

Sorry there are no photos of Gov. Tomblin or Speaker Thompson here, but I don't have those.

If Gov. Tomblin is a racefan, I don't know. I do know Joe Manchin is, and even rode his Harley from Charleston to The Greenbrier on the Kyle Petty Charity Ride a few years ago when they passed through the state.

We can only hope the governor has as much fun at this year's 600 as Gov. Manchin appears to have had when it was his turn!