Daytona Beach, FL – The United States Air Force Thunderbirds are coming back to Daytona Beach.
Daytona International Speedway announced on Monday that the elite aerial squadron will perform the pre-race flyover for the 2016 and 2017 editions of the Daytona 500.
“NASCAR’s biggest, richest and most prestigious race is being held in our new motorsports stadium and we will have the best stock car drivers in the world on the track,” said DIS President Joie Chitwood III. “It’s only fitting that we have the best airmen in the skies performing the flyover.”
It’ll be the 7th straight year that the Thunderbirds – officially known as the US Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron – will fly 6 F-16 Fighting Falcons in their signature “Delta” formation over the stadium at the end of the national anthem.
“This event has kicked off our demonstration season for the past six years and we’re grateful for the partnership between the Speedway and the Thunderbirds,” said USAF Air Demonstration Squadron Commander Christopher Hammond. “There’s so much excitement involved with the race, and we’re honored to share the pride and professionalism of our Air Force with so many great Americans.”
Besides the Daytona 500, the Thunderbirds also performed in Daytona Beach during the 2014 Wings & Waves Air Show hosted by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The 2016 Daytona 500 will be the first at DIS since the $400 million renovation of the historic motorsports facility.
Photos posted in this article are courtesy of DIS.
Copyright 2015 Southern Stone Communications.