Posted by Sabrina B. @gametimegirl

Jimmie Johnson will be honored by President Barack Obama at the White House next Wednesday in celebration of Johnson’s fifth consecutive Sprint Cup Series title. But the list of people who won’t be attending has gotten some attention, too.

Each of the 12 competitors from last year’s Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup field were invited to the White House event, but only seven, including Johnson, Clint Bowyer, Jeff Burton, Denny Hamlin, Jeff Gordon and Matt Kenseth are attending.

Greg Biffle, Kurt Busch, Carl Edwards, Kevin Harvick and Tony Stewart cannot attend because of scheduling conflicts.

Johnson weighed in on the issue on Twitter Friday, saying: “IMO… regardless of political views, when POTUS sends an invite and wants to honor you at the White House, you accept. #respect.”

Johnson later clarified his tweet was not aimed at his fellow Sprint Cup drivers. His follow-up tweet reads: “I have no idea why some can’t/won’t attend the White House trip. My earlier tweet was in response to some fans being PO’ed that I accepted.”

Stewart visted the White House three times during George Bush’s tenure, and the most memorable time was after his 2005 Cup Series championship. Stewart also was honored by Bush in 2002 after his first Cup title.

“It’s a real big honor to be able to come here and have the president remember you,” Stewart told reporters as he left the West Wing in 2006. “He said, ‘I’d like to see you back here next year.’ So I’m definitely on his side on that. I would love to come back here next year as a champion again.”

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