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Country music singer-songwriter Martina McBride will perform the
national anthem at the Indianapolis 500 on May 27. Indianapolis Motor
Speedway officials today are expected to officially announce her
appearance. The Grammy-winning star is also a four-time Country Music
Association Female Vocalist of the Year.
She has hit Billboard’s Top 40 Pop Singles charts five times with
“Wrong Again,” “Whatever You Say” and “I Love You” in 1999; “Blessed” in
2002; and “This One’s For the Girls” in 2003. McBride is a good fit for
pre-race activity because her strong voice will help build excitement
for the start of the Indianapolis 500, said Doug Boles, IMS
spokesman. “You really want to have someone who can belt out that
national anthem,” he said. Officials also wanted a vocalist, like
McBride, who would sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” in its traditional
form, he said.