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Editor’s Note: See Video link for 2022 DAYTONA 500 USAF Thunderbirds Preview, and for 2022 Patriotic DAYTONA 500 Logo and Thunderbirds photo, click here.
Tradition Continues: USAF Thunderbirds To Perform Flyover at 2022 DAYTONA 500
For 12th Straight Year, “America’s Ambassadors in Blue” to Soar Over World Center of Racing, Feb.20
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (February 1, 2022) – The world-renowned U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform the flyover for the 64th annual DAYTONA on Sunday, Feb. 20, 2022 at Daytona International Speedway, the prestigious season-opening event for the NASCAR Cup Series (FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
The flyover will mark the 12th consecutive year, and 13th total, that “America’s Ambassadors in Blue” – officially known as the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron – will showcase their world-class talent and precise choreography flying their signature “Delta” formation over the World Center of Racing at the end 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 said. “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 feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons, the Air Force’s premier multi-role fighter aircraft. Assigned to Air Combat Command, the squadron is composed of 12 officers and more than 120 enlisted personnel serving in nearly 30 Air Force job specialties. They have a rigorous schedule, performing hour-long demonstrations across the United States nearly 30 weekends between March and November.
“The Daytona 500 is more than a precisely timed flyover for us,” said Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, Thunderbirds commander and leader. “It marks the beginning of our show season and showcases the hard work and dedication of the entire squadron. While we never stop training to improve the demonstration, we’re excited to begin 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, more than 400 million people in all 50 states and more than 60 countries have witnessed the distinctive red, white and blue jets in thousands of official aerial demonstrations.
For a select group of Thunderbird team members, the DAYTONA 500 will be in familiar surroundings 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 information on the 2022 DAYTONA 500 and all of Speedweeks Presented By AdventHealth events, which kicks off on Wednesday, Feb. 16 with DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light under the lights, fans can visit www.DAYTONA500.com or call 1-800-PITSHOP. Fans can also stay connected with Daytona International Speedway on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram, as well as the all-new NASCAR Tracks App, for the latest speedway news.
About the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds
The official mission of the United States Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron is to plan and present precision aerial maneuvers to exhibit the capabilities of modern, high-performance aircraft and demonstrate the high degree of professional skill required to operate those aircraft. The missions, objectives and goals of the Thunderbirds can be summarized into one word: ambassadors. The team is a group of traveling spokespersons for the Air Force, demonstrating a clear example of America’s air power. Performing at public venues tells the Air Force story, often to people in communities that have little interaction with America’s military.
About Daytona International Speedway
Daytona International Speedway is a state-of-the-art motorsports facility and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year in 2016. Daytona International Speedway is the home of The Great American Race – the DAYTONA 500. Though the season-opening NASCAR Cup Series event garners most of the attention – as well as the largest audience in motorsports – the approximately 500-acre motorsports complex, also known as the World Center of Racing, boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. The iconic venue will be the site of a host of motorsports events early in 2022, beginning with AHRMA Classic Motofest and the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA in January, and the 64th DAYTONA 500, which will debut the first points race for NASCAR’s ‘Next Gen’ car as part of Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth in February. The tradition-rich 81st Annual Bike Week At DAYTONA returns in March, featuring DAYTONA Supercross and the DAYTONA 200, and in May with the Heroes Honor Festival. Later in the summer during Independence Day weekend, the track, in association with Torneos, will host Soccer Fest before the NASCAR Cup Series returns for the final race of the regular season with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Aug. 27.
