Fans of the popular television show "American Idol" know that when America is asked to sing, America does just that.
Darlington Raceway recently learned that the same principle applies to race fans. When the track announced it was holding a national anthem singing contest, entries poured in from Alabama to Iowa, and from South Carolina to South Dakota.
"The response was exciting and surprising at the same time," said track president Chris Browning. "Frankly, we expected this to be a popular local or possibly even a small regional promotion. When the very first submission arrived and it was from Illinois, we started to suspect we were on to something bigger. Since then, the response has been overwhelming."
In all, nearly 60 singers from 15 states sent, and in a few cases hand-delivered, their versions of "The Star-Spangled Banner" to Darlington Raceway. Raceway staff members narrowed the entries down to three finalists, who will travel to Darlington for the Dodge Avenger 500 media day and perform the anthem for guest driver Kasey Kahne. Kahne will select the winner.
The winner, in addition to performing the anthem for the Silver Crown Showdown USAC Series race on Thursday, May 10, will receive tickets and pre-race pit passes for the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 NASCAR Busch Series race on Friday, May 11, and the Dodge Avenger 500 on Saturday, May 12.
All three finalists will receive tickets to the Silver Crown Showdown on Friday, May 10. This event welcomes open-wheel racing back to Darlington for the first time in 51years.
The top three finalists are Rocky Yelton from Rutherfordton, NC; Suzanne Ferguson from Moncks Corner, SC; and high school freshmen Sara Myers and Erica Wallen. Sara lives in Hanover, PA and Erica lives in East Berlin, PA.
The winner will be announced on April 11.
The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 weekend at Darlington Raceway will include practice for the USAC Silver Crown Series and the NASCAR Busch Series on Thursday, May 10, followed by USAC qualifying and the "Silver Crown Showdown at Darlington" under the lights. This event will feature open-wheel racing at Darlington for the first time in 51 years.
On Friday, May 11, the day will include NASCAR NEXTEL Cup practice, and NEXTEL Cup and Busch Series qualifying, followed by the Diamond Hill Plywood 200 NASCAR Busch Series race under the lights that evening. Denny Hamlin is the defending champion.
On Saturday, May 12, Darlington will host Cup Series racing for the 58th consecutive season as Greg Biffle attempts to join the short list of drivers to win three events in a row at NASCAR's most historic venue. The 2007 Dodge Avenger 500 will be run under the lights in its entirety.
Tickets for all events are on sale now. For more information, call the Raceway ticket hotline toll-free at 866.459.RACE, or visit www.racetickets.com.
Contact: Darlington Raceway public relations 843.395.8892
