NASCAR fans traveling to Chicagoland Speedway for the upcoming weekend will experience an abundance of amenities in addition to four days of action-packed racing. Fans of all ages will receive a fully-engaging NASCAR experience marked by the kick off for the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup as the green flag flies on the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400. For the fourth consecutive year, national anthem singer Jim Cornelison, who is better known as the ‘Gold Standard,’ will perform the ‘The Star Spangled Banner’ to kick off the first race in the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup. Rounding out the pre-race pageantry will be a flyover from the 122nd Fighter Wing Unit for the Air National Guard which is fitting as Sunday, Sept. 18, 2016 is the 69th Anniversary of the U.S. Air Force.
Country music singer and songwriter Chase Rice will perform the pre-race concert for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400. Rice worked on a NASCAR pit crew before moving to Nashville to pursue his career in music. Rice has a special passion for NASCAR, developed first through years of attending races while following his father’s racing career and through his own career experience within the sport.
Champions Park is a family-friendly area open to all race fans, which includes live entertainment, the Kids Zone featuring appearances by the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, a social hub providing games and prizes as well as monuments dedicated to past winners. The park is recognized as one of the most impressive fan-interactive display areas on the motorsports circuit as it provides a park-like setting right next to the grandstands where all fans can enjoy entertainment and engaging activities in a party atmosphere before and after the race.
For $75, fans can purchase a grandstand ticket and entrance to the Let’s Talk Food Fan Zone. Fan Zone Pit Pass holders are able to spend pre-race in the infield meaning that they are placed in close proximity to the pre-race concert and driver introductions. They are provided access to view the drivers’ red carpet walk, participate in NASCAR personality question-and-answer sessions and visit Gatorade Victory Lane prior to the races.
National Highway Traffic Safety Association administrator Dr. Mark R. Rosekind will serve as Grand Marshal of the Drive for Safety 300 on Saturday, Sept. 17. Then, on Sunday, Sept. 20, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles voice actor, Greg Cipes, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles themselves and the kids of NASCAR will serve as Grand Marshals for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles 400.(Chicagoland Speedway)(9-14-2016)
