Surreal shot of Air Force One taking

"President Bush's re-election campaign faltered today when he inadvertently crashed Air Force One -- which he was piloting as a special treat -- into thousands of demographically significant NASCAR dads. Film at 11."

mattFeb 17, 2004 at 2:32PM

I think that's the foreshortening effect of a lens with a long focal length.

danFeb 17, 2004 at 3:01PM

yah - telephoto lenses would be rife at a sporting event

Ronald Reagan ForeverFeb 17, 2004 at 3:49PM

There are similar photos and video of the great president, victor of the Cold War, champion of democracy, leader and defender of the free, Ronald Reagan's AF1 landing at Daytona airport half hour before Richard Petty won his 200th race. Dale Earnhardt Jr. won his first 500 exactly to the day his father won it six years ago. Mysterious motor crisis put the real poll sitter Gregg Biffle in the back of the pack and the man who led 97 of the 200 laps, Tony Stewart, came in second.

RandyFeb 17, 2004 at 4:18PM

The airport is right next to the speedway? That must be the loudest place on earth.

MikeFeb 17, 2004 at 9:37PM

Nope, no security risk there. None at all. Rocket launcher from the grandstands? Couldn't happen.

wfrazerjrFeb 17, 2004 at 9:39PM

That's unfreakingbelieveable. Do they suspend commerical flights during races there? And wouldn't it be cool to press ham from a 747 to about 250,000 NASCAR fans?

DollarBloggerFeb 18, 2004 at 12:29AM

I would have liked to seen GW parachute from Air Force One, and land in a convertable Nascar.

nateFeb 18, 2004 at 12:34AM

Not a campaign-related event. Nope.

Ronald Reagan ForeverFeb 18, 2004 at 12:39AM

wfoiureiorujr: Daytona airport sees very little air traffic. Only 4 airlines have somewhat daily scheduled flights to 20 US destinations.

Mike: Nascar is one of the safest place to be on any Sunday. They even have Church services for people who come in early and missed services at home. Praise the Lord. For the past two years they have even disallowed outside beer and coolers on the grand stands and everyone is subject to serious security inspections.

rgFeb 18, 2004 at 4:16AM

Reminds me of the many stunning photos of planes landing at St. Martin (SXM)

MikeFeb 18, 2004 at 2:47PM

Isn't Nascar the church?

Jake AssFeb 19, 2004 at 2:31AM

guys, Nascar is in fact the church, let me be the first to admit to that.

CraniacFeb 21, 2004 at 9:57AM

Mysterious motor crisis put the real poll sitter Gregg Biffle in the back of the pack and the man who led 97 of the 200 laps, Tony Stewart, came in second.

Wait--so Dale Earnhardt Jr. gets to win every emotionally siginificant race he is in?

BorazFeb 23, 2004 at 5:41AM

I go to school at ERAU (Embry Riddle Aeronautical University) which is located right next to the Daytona Beach International Airport where AirForceOne took off from in this picture. I am a pilot, so I am quite familar with the airport. This picture is not fake. The speedway is located approximatly 1/4 of a mile to the north of the second half of runway 25 right, which is the runway AirForceOne used that day. Since AirForceOne is quite the large jet, it requires much more than half the runway. Therefore, it would be lifting off the ground somewhere near the racetrack, as in the picture. Also to answer wfrazerjr's question, there is a restriction on general aviation and commercial aviation in the viscinity of the racetrack during the race. Although I think certain commercial arrivals and departures are allowed into and out of the airport.

MDRMar 03, 2004 at 10:54PM

would someone please email me the picture of Air Force one at Daytona...or tell me where I can purchase [email protected]

This thread is closed to new comments. Thanks to everyone who responded.