'American Idol' Finalist From Indiana To Sing National Anthem
August 24, 2011 | By Tom Surber and Paul Kelly
Former “American Idol” finalist and Indiana resident Amanda Overmyer will sing the national anthem before the start of the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
Overmyer made her mark in the seventh season of “American Idol” with a raw, edgy voice reminiscent of a young Janis Joplin. Influenced by music superstars Bob Seger, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Creedence Clearwater Revival, Overmyer won praise on “American Idol” for taking classic rock songs and spinning them into her unique style.
Overmyer, who was a full-time traveling nurse before appearing on “American Idol,” released her first album, “Solidify,” in December 2008. Overmyer owns her recording label, Chile Records, and is well known for being a Harley-Davidson motorcycle enthusiast. She resides in Mulberry, Ind.
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A-10 ‘Warthog’ jets to perform flyover: Two A-10 Thunderbolt fighter jets from the Indiana Air National Guard 122nd Fighter Wing in Fort Wayne, Ind., will be the featured aircraft during the national anthem flyover before the Red Bull Indianapolis GP on Sunday, Aug. 28.
A-10s are commonly referred to by their nickname “Warthog,” and have been in service since the early 1970s.
Recognized as the first U.S. Air Force aircraft designed solely for close air support for ground forces, the A-10 takes its official name from the famous P-47 Thunderbolt fighter used during the latter part of World War II, which was also highly effective when used in close air support.
A twin-engine, single-seat aircraft, A-10s played a key role during the Gulf War in 1991 by flying 8,100 sorties and being credited with destroying more than 900 Iraqi tanks, 2,000 military vehicles and 1,200 pieces of artillery.
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Spies book available: The incredible story of American MotoGP star Ben Spies is told in detail in a new book available from David Bull Publishing, “Ben Spies: Taking It To The Next Level.”
Author Larry Lawrence describes Spies’ entire career, including three consecutive AMA Superbike titles from 2006-08, a World Superbike title in 2009 and MotoGP Rookie of the Year honors in 2010.
Spies, from Longview, Texas, won the Red Bull Indianapolis GP pole in 2010 and earned his first career MotoGP victory in June 2011 in the Netherlands.
The book is available through book stores, specialty motoring booksellers or directly from the publisher at (602) 852-9500 or www.bullpublishing.com.
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2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets: 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP tickets are on sale now.
To buy tickets, visit www.imstix.com, call the IMS ticket office at (317) 492-6700 or (800) 822-INDY outside the Indianapolis area or visit the ticket office at the IMS Administration Building at the corner of Georgetown Road and 16th Street. Ticket office and phone hours are 8 a.m.-5 p.m. (ET) Monday-Friday.
The 2011 Red Bull Indianapolis GP is scheduled for Aug. 26-28 at IMS.
Race Day general admission tickets cost $40, with Friday general admission $10 and Saturday general admission $20. A three-day general admission ticket is $60. A Friday-Saturday general admission ticket is $25.
Children ages 12 and under will be admitted free any of the three days of the event when accompanied by an adult with a general admission ticket.
Race Day reserved seat prices will start at $70.