As the 65th running of the DAYTONA 500 approaches, excitement is building for the start of the NASCAR Cup Series season. The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform the fan-favorite flyover, marking the 14th time in history that “America’s Ambassadors in Blue” will start The Great American Race.
U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron: Celebrating 70 Years
The Thunderbirds, formed in 1953, will feature six F-16 Fighting Falcons in their flyover. The squadron, which is composed of 12 officers and over 120 enlisted personnel, serves as a symbol of excellence and expertise in the United States Air Force. This year, the Thunderbirds will be celebrating their 70th anniversary, adding even more excitement to the start of the DAYTONA 500.
“We are bringing the fans a surprise when we return to the Daytona 500 this year,” said Lt. Col. Justin Elliott, Thunderbird 1, Commander/Leader. “In honor of the Thunderbirds’ 70th anniversary, we hope to showcase more of the expertise and excellence each member of our squadron exudes daily.”
A Homecoming for Florida Thunderbird Team Members
The DAYTONA 500 will be a homecoming for a select group of Thunderbird team members who hail from Florida. These team members include:
- Capt. Zachary Taylor, Thunderbird 2 (Left Wing), from Casselberry, Florida.
- MSgt Sean Sirico, Maintenance Production Superintendent, from Spring Hill, Florida.
- TSgt Joel Burg, Crew Chief, from Pensacola, Florida.
- TSgt Seth McKinney, Specialist Flight Chief, from Tampa, Florida.
- TSgt Nicholas McVey, Fuels System NCOIC, from Tampa, Florida.
- TSgt Brandon Murdaugh, Quality Assurance Inspector, from Orange Park, Florida.
- TSgt John Terkoski, Radio Frequency Transmission Systems NCOIC, from Tampa, Florida.
- SSgt Alec Atkinson, #2 Dedicated Crew Chief, from Lake Wales, Florida.
- SSgt Joshua Echevarria, Crew Chief, from Sunrise, Florida.
- SSgt Diana Quijada, Aircrew Flight Equipment Specialist, from Tallahassee, Florida.
READ ALSO: NASCAR 2023 Daytona 500 Date, Time, Location, Preview & Betting Odds
Multiple Days of Exciting Action during Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth
The flyover will cap off a week of exciting action during Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth. The events start on Wednesday, Feb. 15, with DAYTONA 500 Qualifying Presented by Busch Light, followed by the high-stakes Bluegreen Vacations Duel on Thursday, Feb. 16. The racing continues with the return of the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in the Next Era Energy 250 on Friday and a double header on Saturday, Feb. 18, with the ARCA Menards Series Race and the NASCAR Xfinity Series’ Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300.
Then, directly following a performance by Grammy-nominated artist Dierks Bentley, drivers in the NASCAR Cup Series will make their 2023 season debut in the 65th running of the DAYTONA 500 on Sunday. Get ready for a thrilling and historic start to the NASCAR Cup Series season!
Conclusion
In conclusion, the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds will perform their signature “Delta” formation flyover for the 65th running of the DAYTONA 500 on February 19th, marking the 13th consecutive and 14th overall time. This year’s flyover also marks the 70th anniversary of the Thunderbirds and the start of NASCAR’s 75th Anniversary celebration. The flyover is sure to bring excitement and thrill to the sold-out crowd at Daytona International Speedway. The flyover will cap off multiple days of thrilling action during Speedweeks Presented by AdventHealth.
