Planes that trained the “Greatest Generation” to Perform Fly-Over Prior to the Start of the GEICO 500 at Talladega Superspeedway
NASCAR fans will hear a different kind of engine roar at Talladega Superspeedway prior to the GEICO 500 on Sunday, Oct. 19th. Radial powered engines that trained all World War II and Korean War pilots will be on hand as the world famous Long-Island-based GEICO Skytypers showcase their aerial expertise in a special tribute to the United States Military.
The GEICO Skytypers will perform a six-aircraft, wingtip-to-wingtip formation flyover in their WWII-era SNJs during the National Anthem prior to the GEICO 500, the pivotal anchor event of the Contender Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup in which the field of eligible drivers for the title will be reduced from 12 to eight. In addition to the flyover, the team will sky type giant dot-matrix style messages in the skies above the track during pre-race festivities. The GEICO 500 is scheduled for a 1 p.m. (CST) start. At the conclusion of the GEICO 500, the track’s newest tradition – the Freedom Trophy – that represents the five branches of the U.S. Military will be presented to the race’s winner in Victory Lane by military personnel.
GEICO is the long-time sponsor of the GEICO Skytypers and also the Official Auto, RV, Motorcycle and Powersport Insurance Provider of Talladega Superspeedway. This marks the first year that GEICO has been the entitlement sponsor of the fall 500-miler at NASCAR’s Most Competitive track.
The 75-year-old planes flown by the GEICO Skytypers airshow team demonstrate low-altitude, precision-formation techniques demanded of Allied pilots flying missions everywhere from Korea to Kenya. For the GEICO 500, the airshow demonstration team will break away from the Wings over North Georgia Airshow (www.WingsOverNorthGeorgia.com) at Rome’s Russell Regional Airport and fly to Talladega for the special military tribute.
MORE… at Talladega Superspeedway
The “Wow Factor” of the X Games Coming to Talladega Superspeedway with ASA Action Sports World Tour
Superstars from Skateboarding and BMX to Compete on the World’s Largest Half Pipe Prior to NASCAR Races
Talladega Superspeedway announced that the ASA Action Sports World Tour of high-demand and highly entertaining “half-pipe” competitions featuring superstars in skateboarding and BMX will be held in the track’s exhibit area during the GEICO 500/fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola race weekend, October 18-19.
Located in Horsepower Plaza outside the gates near turn four, fans will feel the “Wow Factor” at the Saturday-Sunday event that will leave everyone buzzing. The world’s best pros will perform unbelievable aerial stunts on the actual X Games half-pipe ramp as a part of a unique team competition that pits continent vs continent. Fans will see teams of skate and BMX stars from Europe, South America, Australia and the USA. These teams will compete against each other for national pride on the largest half pipe (14.5’ high from the top deck level) on the planet –at Talladega Superspeedway, the biggest and baddest race-track in the universe.
The energy in Horsepower Plaza will be in overdrive Saturday, October 18th when the action gets underway at 10 a.m. CST. Sunday’s Grand Finale is set to begin at 10:30 a.m. CST. It marks the first time the top pros from skateboarding and BMX have competed on the grounds of NASCAR’s Most Competitive track, Talladega Superspeedway. The two-day head-to-head competition will showcase the biggest names in action sports jockeying for team points in four different contests each day: individual runs, high air, best trick and team doubles. Some of the pros, most ranked in the top 10 in the world, scheduled to be a part of ASA Action Sports World Tour include:
Team USA: Chad Kagy (15-time X Games Medalist, including 4 Golds) & Andy Macdonald (23-time X Games Medalist);
Team Europe: Simon Tabron (11-time X Games Medalist) & Paul-Luc Ronchetti;
Team South America: Coco Zurita (2013 World Champion) & Marcelo Bastos (2-time X Games Medalist);
Team Australia: Steve McCann (2-Time X Games Gold Medalist) & Renton Millar.
The event will run in conjunction with both Saturday’s fred’s 250 Powered by Coca-Cola (Noon CST) and Sunday’s GEICO 500 (1 p.m. CST) October 18 and 19, respectively. In the spirit of providing value for Talladega’s great fans, the event is free to watch both days!
This is more than a race! THIS IS TALLADEGA!
