MARTINSVILLE, Va. (March 25, 2012) – The Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Regimental Marching Band will perform the National Anthem prior to Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway, keeping alive the track’s custom of traditional performances of the Anthem.
The regimental band, better known as The Highty-Tighties, was formed in 1893 and is the oldest collegiate band in the Commonwealth of Virginia. They are a field band, and provide military music for all cadet activities. The band performs in many parades around the country each year, most recently the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City two weeks ago.
“It is very important to us, and we believe, to our fans for the National Anthem to be performed in a traditional, patriotic manner,” said Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell. “We know Virginia Tech’s band will do an amazing job in performing the anthem the way it is supposed to be performed.”
On Saturday, prior to the Kroger 250 NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race, a brass ensemble from Martinsville High School will perform the National Anthem.
GOODY’S FLYOVER: The flyover before the start of Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 will be provided by a pair of F-18 Tomcatters. They will be out of the Naval Air Station in Oceana.
LT. DAN BAND CONCERT: Gary Sinise, of Forrest Gump and CSI: NY fame, along with his Lt. Dan Band, will be performing a concert at Martinsville High School on Saturday, March 31 at 7:30 p.m. Proceeds from the show will go toward the construction of a smart house for Marine Cpl. J.B. Kerns, a local soldier who lost both legs and an arm in an IED explosion in Afghanistan.
Fittingly, Kerns is the Honorary Starter for the Goody’s Fast Relief 500 while Sinise is the Grand Marshal.
Plenty of tickets remain for the concert and are just $25. They may be purchased online at www.piedmontarts.org.
LT. DAN BAND CONCERT, PART TWO: In addition to the music, there is going to be a silent auction at the concert, with some amazing racing memorabilia included.
Autographed items include: Darrell Waltrip chrome helmet; Rusty Wallace driver’s suit from his Last Call Tour; rear bumper from Tony Stewart’s winning car in the TUMS Fast Relief 500 last fall; rear bumper from Ryan Newman’s car; Kyle Busch helmet visor; Jeff Burton racing shoes; Richard Petty diecast car; Richard Petty crew shirt; hood from the Fastenal Tunnel to Towers car, signed by Gary Sinise and J.B. Kerns; CSI: NY script signed by Gary Sinise; Will Power autographed photo; Denny Hamlin FedEx Racing helmet; Kevin Harvick diecast cars; Kasey Kahne Darlington Raceway hat; Roush Fenway Racing crew shirt signed by Jack Roush, Carl Edwards, Matt Kenseth, Gregg Biffle, Ricky Stenhouse, Trevor Bayne and David Ragan; Bumper from Wood Brothers car signed by Glen Wood, Eddie Wood, Leonard Wood and Len Wood. Jimmie Johnson hat from Martinsville victory lane, spring 2009.
Other items included a Richard Petty Driving School certificate for Daytona International Speedway; four president’s row tickets for Saturday and Sunday for the fall Talladega Super Speedway with pit and garage cold passes and pace car rides with Martinsville Speedway President Clay Campbell driving and two suite tickets for the TUMS Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway on October 28.
GOOD SEATS, GREAT PRICES: Good seats remain for both Saturday’s Kroger 250 and Sunday’s Goody’s Fast Relief 500 at Martinsville Speedway. To purchase tickets, call 877.RACE.TIX or visit www.martinsvillespeedway.com.
