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Michelle Obama booed at Ford 400

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First Lady Michelle Obama watches the NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford 400 after speaking with military families as part of the Joining Forces Initiative at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida on November 20, 2011. UPI/Malcolm Hope
First Lady Michelle Obama watches the NASCAR Sprint Cup Ford 400 after speaking with military families as part of the Joining Forces Initiative at Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Florida on November 20, 2011. UPI/Malcolm Hope 
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Published: Nov. 21, 2011 at 8:21 AM

HOMESTEAD, Fla., Nov. 21 (UPI) -- Boos for first lady Michelle Obama were heard amid the roar of engines before the start of the Ford 400 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.

The boos could be heard as Obama and Jill Biden, wife of Vice President Joe Biden, were saying, "Gentlemen, start your engines" to begin the race Sunday, the South Florida Sun Sentinel in Fort Lauderdale reported.

Obama and Biden, grand marshals for the race, were invited to NASCAR's final event of the season to bring awareness to their Joining Forces initiative, which supports military families.

GALLERY: Nascar Sprint Cup Ford 400

The women had addressed the drivers at a meeting before presiding over the ceremonial starting of the engines.

"I know this is a big day for all of you so we're not going to take up your time because you need to be focused," Obama told the drivers. "We just wanted to stop by and say thank you. NASCAR has just been amazing in terms of its support not just today, but every day, of military families."

Obama and Biden also attended a barbecue with service members and their families before the race.

Topics: Jill Biden, Michelle Obama
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