President Bush is greeted by Teresa Earnhardt.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- President Bush arrived at the North Carolina Air National Guard terminal near Charlotte/Douglas International Airport shortly after 10 a.m. ET on Wednesday for his first day trip in the state.

After departing Air Force One alone, Bush immediately greeted the widow and family of the late NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt, who was killed in a last-lap crash at the Feb. 18 Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Fla.

After spending nearly an hour with Bush, Teresa Earnhardt and children Kerry, Taylor, Kelley and Dale Jr. toured Air Force One.

After shaking hands and signing autographs for Air National Guard members and their families, Bush traveled to Concord to visit a middle school.

He is also scheduled to address a rally of some 5,000 people later in the day in Greenville.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.