Richmond Raceway is proud to honor service men and women by welcoming every branch of the military as part of pre-race ceremonies for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race on Saturday, Sept. 9. Each branch of the military will have an honorary role prior to the waving of the green flag in the final race of the regular season.
“We are proud supporters of all branches of our military at Richmond Raceway,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “Showcasing all branches of the military in our pre-race ceremonies prior to the Federated Auto Parts 400 is a small way for us to recognize these incredible individuals who sacrifice so much to serve our country. We look forward to honoring these service men and women along with our loyal Richmond fans on Saturday night.”
Richmond previously announced that Major General Dorothy Hogg of the United States Air Force will serve as the Honorary Race Official for the Federated Auto Parts 400. In addition to Maj. Gen. Hogg being in attendance, four Air Force A-10s from the 104th Fighter Squadron, The Fightin’ O’s, from Warfield Air National Guard Base will perform the flyover during the National Anthem prior to the race.
“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band, under the direction of Drum Major Duane King, will perform the National Anthem and God Bless America prior to the Federated Auto Parts 400. This will not be the first time the President’s Own will perform the National Anthem at Richmond. They were also in attendance last September to perform the National Anthem.
After “The President’s Own” performs God Bless America, the Bandit Flight Team will conduct a flyover during pre-race ceremonies. Fans in attendance on Saturday night will be treated to two flyovers as part of Richmond’s salute to the armed forces.
SGT Michael Saias from the 392nd Fort Lee Army Band out of Fort Lee, Virginia, will be on hand to deliver the Pledge of Allegiance while the United States Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown Color Guard will present our nation’s colors. The American Flag unfurl will take place by U.S. Army Richmond Recruiting Battalion. Skydivers from Team FasTrax will bring in an American Flag, which will be caught by the United States Coast Guard Training Center Yorktown. Chaplain Philip Coffman, Naval Weapons Station Yorktown Command Chaplain, will deliver the invocation.
Our salute to the military is one part of when Richmond Raceway hosts NASCAR for two nights of racing “under the lights” on Sept. 8-9. The fall race weekend, presented by Who’s Your Driver, will see history on display as Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes his final, career, two-race appearance as a driver.
The weekend gets started on Friday, Sept. 8, with on-track practice for both series and the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs Pole Qualifying for both weekend races. The action then dials up as the rising stars of tomorrow compete in the Virginia529 College Savings 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race at 7:30 p.m.
On Saturday, Sept. 9 at 7:30 p.m., the sport’s best take to the track for the Federated Auto Parts 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race as NASCAR crowns 2017 Regular Season Champion.
Tickets are available now for both races and can be purchased online at richmondraceway.com or by calling the Richmond Ticket Office, toll-free, at 866-455-7223.
Richmond Raceway PR
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