Navy F-18’s to Perform Flyover for TOYOTA OWNERS 400 at Richmond International Raceway

Fourteen-Year-Old Sophia Nadder to Perform National Anthem

United States Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 83 will make the Flyover for the
TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race on April 30

The pre-race ceremony is the memorable time just before the roar of the engines that sets the tone for the race. The moment when the flyover matches perfectly with the ending of the National Anthem can take any fan’s breath away.

Richmond International Raceway (RIR) announces its pre-race ceremonies for the Toyota spring race weekend. Pre-race is highlighted by the United States Navy F-18’s performing the flyover. United States Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 83 will make the Flyover for the TOYOTA OWNERS 400 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup race on Sunday, April 30. The VFA-83 Rampagers are based out of Virginia Beach, Va., and fly F/A-18C Hornets.

“We are honored to have United States Navy Strike Fighter Squadron 83 perform the flyover prior to the TOYOTA OWNERS 400,” said Richmond President Dennis Bickmeier. “The flyover is an important part of race day, and one that many fans look forward to. I know the roar of the F/A-18C Hornets will bring the fans to their feet.”

Fourteen-year-old Sophia Nadder from Midlothian, Va., will perform the National Anthem prior to the TOYOTA OWNERS 400. Nadder is no stranger to the pre-race stage. She first performed at Richmond in the fall of 2013, when she was just 11 years old. Nadder recently celebrated her 100th performance of the National Anthem last summer.

“Sophia is an incredible talent, and she will honor our country with her singing of the National Anthem on Sunday,” continued Bickmeier. “She has become a part of the Richmond family with her inspiring performances over recent years.”

Sophia Nadder singing the National Anthem for the Washington
Nationals vs the Arizona Diamondbacks (June 27, 2013)

Additional elements of pre-race ceremonies for Sunday’s TOYOTA OWNERS 400 include:

• the FasTrax skydiving team
• God Bless America performed by Sergeant First Class Stephanie Doehr representing Fort Lee and the 392D Army Band
• Pledge of Allegiance by Electronics Technician Nuclear First Class Jonathan Caddell
• the Color Guard will be presented by the Army Logistics University
• the invocation by Pastor Joe Ellison, Jr., Senior Pastor of City Park Church in Richmond, Va.

On Saturday, April 29, fans will see:

• the Bandit Flight Team perform the flyover during pre-race ceremonies for the ToyotaCare 250 NASCAR XFINITY Series race
• Miss Arena Racing USA Kristen Dennis will be performing the National Anthem
• the Fort Lee Color Guard presents our nation’s colors
• the invocation will be given by Chaplain Claude Crisp, Senior Fort Lee Chaplain
• the Pledge Allegiance by Major Mike Palkovics of the Henrico Police Department

Source

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