DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 1, 2022) – The world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will carry out the flyover for the sixty fourth annual DAYTONA on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022, at Daytona International Speedway, the celebrated season-opening occasion for the NASCAR Cup Series (FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
The flyover will mark the twelfth consecutive yr, and thirteenth whole, that “America’s Ambassadors in Blue” – formally generally known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron – will showcase their world-class expertise and exact choreography flying their signature “Delta” formation over the World Center of Racing at the tip of the National Anthem for The Great American Race.
“The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds flyover is synonymous with our tradition-rich DAYTONA 500 pre-race ceremonies,” Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher mentioned. “We’re honored to have them back for what will be a packed house for the 64th DAYTONA 500. It will be an exhilarating spectacle and a cherished moment to see for those in attendance, plus the millions more watching on FOX, as they soar over the Speedway at the end of the National Anthem.”
The Thunderbirds characteristic six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter plane. Assigned to Air Combat Command, the squadron consists of 12 officers and greater than 120 enlisted personnel serving in practically 30 Air Force job specialties. They have a rigorous schedule, performing hour-long demonstrations throughout the United States on practically 30 weekends between March and November.
“The Daytona 500 is more than a precisely timed flyover for us,” mentioned Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, Thunderbirds commander, and chief. “It marks the start of our present season and showcases the exhausting work and dedication of all the squadron. While we by no means cease coaching to enhance the demonstration, we’re excited to start showcasing our efforts.
“We are grateful to the Speedway and community for their continued support and the opportunity to showcase the pride, precision, and professionalism of the United States Air Force.”
Since the unit’s inception in 1953, greater than 400 million folks in all 50 states and greater than 60 nations have witnessed the distinctive pink, white, and blue jets in hundreds of official aerial demonstrations.
For a choose group of Thunderbird workforce members, the DAYTONA 500 shall be in acquainted environment as they hail from Florida:
- Maj. Zane Taylor, Thunderbird 4 – Slot Pilot, is from Orlando, Florida.
- MSgt Sean Sirico, Maintenance Production Superintendent, is from Spring Hill, Florida.
- TSgt Ryan Leon, Electrical and Environmental Systems Tech., is from Hialeah, Florida.
- TSgt Paton Holmes, Line Cone, is from Islamorada, Florida.
- TSgt Seth McKinney, Egress Section Chief, is from Tampa, Florida.
- SSgt Alec Atkinson, Crew Chief, is from Lake Wales, Florida.
- SSgt Diana Quijada, Aircrew Flight Equipment Specialist, is from Tallahassee, Florida.
- SSgt Brandon Murdagh, Quality Assurance Tech., is from Orange Park, Florida.
- SSgt Joshua Echevarria, #6 Dedicated Crew Chief, is from Sunrise, Florida.
- SSgt Ryan Burns, Aircraft Maintenance Phase Tech., is from Pensacola, Florida.
For info on the 2022 DAYTONA 500 and all of Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth occasions, which kicks off on Wednesday, Feb. 16 with DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light underneath the lights, followers can go to www.DAYTONA500.com or name 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans may keep linked with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram, in addition to the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the most recent speedway information.
Photo: Daytona International Speedway
