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Celebrity sightings at the TicketGuardian 500 at Phoenix

by Dixie Haag | Posted on Sunday, March 11th, 2018

Courtesy of ISM Raceway Media Relations

AVONDALE, Arizona – 

KEISHA RENEE TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM AT THE TICKETGUARDIAN 500

A former background singer for renowned musical artists such as Nicki Minaj and Adam Lambert, Keisha Renee will take center stage prior to the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series TicketGuardian 500 this Sunday at ISM Raceway, when she performs the national anthem.

Born and raised in Inglewood, Calif., Renee’s early singing career focused strictly on gospel. It wasn’t until she moved to Houston following high school that she began to shift gears and pursue a career in the country music scene.

Keisha won the hearts of millions with her undeniable vocals on Season 13 of NBC’s The Voice, where she placed in the Top 8. She is now coached by country music great Blake Shelton, a name synonymous with NASCAR.

Keisha Renee now resides in Nashville with her daughter, Amari, and is currently working on her debut album.

COUNTRY SINGER AND “DANCING WITH THE STARS” FINALIST JANA KRAMER TO PERFORM PRE-RACE CONCERT BEFORE TICKETGUARDIAN 500

Singer, actress and “Dancing with the Stars” finalist Jana Kramer will be performing for fans prior to the TicketGuardian 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at ISM Raceway on Sunday, March 11.

“It’s always really fun,” said Kramer, who has performed at previous NASCAR races. “NASCAR fans are really energetic, and they like to have a good time. We definitely make sure to bring that to the crowd to pump them up.”

Launching her acting career in 2002, Kramer made recurring appearances on television shows like “Friday Night Lights” and “90210,” before she rose to fame in 2009 with a starring role on the hit drama series, “One Tree Hill.” She spent two years on the show before leaving to begin her country music career.

Her 2012 debut single “Why Ya Wanna,” reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, and her self-titled debut album peaked at No. 5 on the Top Country Albums chart. Her 2015 follow-up album, “Thirty One,” debuted at No. 3 on the country charts and No. 10 on the Billboard 200. The second single from the album, “I Got the Boy,” was another top-10 hit and is certified platinum. She has toured with artists such as Blake Shelton and continues her acting career in movies and commercials.

In 2016, the Rochester Hills, Mich., native competed on Season 23 of Dancing with the Stars. Together with her partner Gleb Savchenko, Kramer made it all the way to the finals and finished fourth.

The concert, which resulted from a partnership between ISM Raceway and Niner Sports & Entertainment, is just one part of race day excitement that is free to all fans with a grandstand ticket for the TicketGuardian 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.

UFC MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION MICHAEL BISPING TO SERVE AS HONORARY PACE CAR DRIVER AT TICKETGUARDIAN 500

This year’s TicketGuardian 500 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at ISM Raceway is sure to pack a punch. Former UFC Middleweight champion and actor Michael Bisping will lead the field to green behind the wheel of the Official 2018 Chevrolet Camaro Pace Car for the race, which is set for Sunday, March 11.

Bisping has a record of 30-9 and is also a former Cage Rage Light Heavyweight champion. In 2007, he became the first British fighter to compete in a UFC main event. After defeating defending middleweight champion Luke Rockhold in 2016, Bisping became the first, and only, British fighter to earn a UFC Championship.

Outside of the octagon, Bisping has focused on his acting career in recent years. He had a role in last year’s blockbuster, “xXx: Return of Xander Cage,” and the 2018 action movie, “Den of Thieves,” alongside Gerard Butler and 50 Cent. His latest role is in the upcoming movie, “Triple Threat.”

Originally from Lancashire, England, Bisping began his training at 8 years old, and by the time he was a young adult, he had already won the Pro British Light Heavyweight title twice. He started his UFC career in 2006, and was one of the light heavyweight winners on the television series, “The Ultimate Fighter.”

The England native is the latest in a long line of UFC fighters serving as the honorary pace car driver at ISM Raceway. Since 2011, the track has been putting some of the best fighters in the world behind the wheel, including Arizona native Justin Gaethje (2017), Dominick Cruz (latest in 2016) and Anderson Silva (2011).

Bisping’s appearance is the result of a partnership between ISM Raceway and Niner Sports & Entertainment. In addition to his duties as honorary pace car driver, Bisping will make a promotional appearance at ISM Raceway prior to the race on Sunday, March 11. For more information on timing and other celebrity appearances, please visit ISMRaceway.com.

 

About the Author

Dixie Haag is married to Mike Haag. She is a mother to two fantastic young people and a life-long educator.