The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds always put on a precision show for supportive fans across the U.S. And for the third consecutive year, the team comprised of eight combat pilots known officially as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, will thrill NASCAR fans with their flyover during the “The Great American Race”, the Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway.
The Thunderbird team is comprised of specially selected officers and nearly 100 enlisted Airmen who are honored to serve a two-year tour that utilizes their skills in many aerial exhibitions.
The Thunderbirds fly inches apart at 600 miles per hour to deliver awe inspiring maneuvers to observers below. During the Daytona 500 festivities the red, white and blue Thunderbirds will do the standard close-formation flyover over the legendary racetrack.
Courtesy of Daytona International Speedway:
The Thunderbirds flyover will feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft, soaring over the Speedway at the end of the playing of the national anthem.
“It’s an honor for the third straight year to have the USAF Thunderbirds provide the flyover for the 55th annual Daytona 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “The Thunderbirds are known throughout the world for their precision and excellence in the skies. The thousands of race fans in attendance and the millions more watching on FOX are looking forward to a stirring flyover at the conclusion of the national anthem.”
"We’ve developed such a great relationship with Daytona race fans over the years,” said Lt. Col. Greg Moseley, Thunderbirds commander and lead pilot. “We feel honored to contribute to the NASCAR experience during the 55th annual Daytona 500.”
Details are available on www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com
Six major NASCAR tracks are within a day's drive of Tampa. Great destinations justify journeys.
Here the NASCAR venue is considered local if tracks are within a 10 hour drive from Tampa—Daytona International Speedway, Homestead-Miami Speedway, Atlanta Motor Speedway, Darlington Raceway, Talladega Superspeedway and Charlotte Motor Speedway.
FYI WIRZ is the select presentation of motorsports topics by Dwight Drum at Racetake.com. Unless otherwise noted, all quotes were obtained from personal interviews or official release materials provided by sanctions, teams or track representatives.
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