Information provided courtesy of Dover International Speedway
DOVER, Delaware – A number of celebrities and stars will be on hand for the pre-race festivities at today’s AAA 400 Drive for Autism NASCAR race at Dover International Speedway.
Below is a list of who you will see at the race and around the track at Dover.
Bret Michaels – The legendary singer/songwriter who has sold more than 40 million records worldwide, will perform a charity-driven, free concert on the AAA Stage at Victory Plaza on Sunday, May 6 at 11:30 a.m. before the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway.
Michaels, a car and motorcycle fanatic known worldwide as the front man for Poison, recently embarked on his 2018 Party Starts Now tour and will bring a party to fans before the big race, playing Poison favorites as well as his solo hits.
As a solo artist, Michaels’ album “Custom Built” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Hard Rock and Independent Albums charts, and “Jammin’ With Friends” included contributors Jimmy Buffett, Loretta Lynn and Aerosmith’s Joe Perry. Michaels’ theme song to the VH1 hit show “Rock of Love with Bret Michaels” won a Broadcast Music, Inc. award for the most-played television theme song.
Michaels, a Type-1 diabetic since age 6, won his season on NBC’s “Celebrity Apprentice,” raising funds for the American Diabetes Association. In all, Michaels’ charitable efforts have helped raise more than $3 million for diabetes research. Michaels has also assisted in raising funds for wounded U.S. veterans, childhood cancer research, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and PetSmart Charities.
Poison’s hit album “Open Up and Say … Ahh!,” celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, included the smash Billboard No. 1 hit “Every Rose Has Its Thorn,” which is one of the most well-known rock songs of all time.
Jessica Lynn – A singer/songwriter from New York, who has shared the stage and toured the world with some of country music’s elite performers, will sing the national anthem prior to the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race.
Lynn, who has been seen by millions in her two full-length PBS concert specials, and several nationwide and international tours, recently had her latest single “Crazy Idea,” reach the top 50 on U.S. country radio charts, and rise to the No. 4 most streamed release on the Play MPE Chart.
Lynn, a Pace University graduate with a Master’s degree in special education, has shared the stage with country music icons such as Clint Black, Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban, toured with Jo Dee Messina, and opened for country music legend Loretta Lynn.
In 2017, Lynn toured Europe and the United Kingdom in support of her latest album “Look At Me That Way,” which included opening for iconic rockers ZZ Top.
Jordan Hicks, Merrill Reese and Mike Quick – Hicks, a standout linebacker for the Super Bowl LII Champion Philadelphia Eagles, and team announcers Merrill Reese and Mike Quick, will serve as dignitaries for the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism” Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Dover International Speedway on Sunday.
Reese and Quick will be the race’s co-grand marshals and Hicks will be the event’s honorary starter.
Recognized as one of the most distinguished radio broadcasters in all of sports, Reese has been calling games for the Eagles since 1977 and is the longest tenured play-by-play announcer in the NFL. Appropriately nicknamed the “Voice of the Eagles,” he was inducted into the team’s Hall of Fame in 2016 which coincided with his 40th year in the booth. Quick joined Reese as a broadcaster in 1998, following a remarkable nine-year career as a wide receiver for the Eagles. A 1995 Eagles Hall of Fame inductee, Quick earned five consecutive trips to the Pro Bowl (1983-87) and ranks third all-time among Eagles wideouts in receiving yards (6,464) and receiving touchdowns (61).
A former third-round draft pick of the Eagles in 2015, Hicks is one of only two linebackers in NFL history to record 11+ takeaways (seven interceptions and four fumble recoveries) in his first 24 career games.
Reese and Quick will give the command for NASCAR’s top drivers to start their engines while Hicks will wave the green flag to begin the race.
Hicks, Quick and Reese will also appear on the AAA Stage at Victory Plaza on Sunday during a Philadelphia Eagles celebration, along with team mascot Swoop and members of the Eagles cheerleader squad. The Philadelphia Eagles drumline will also be a part of pre-race activities on the Monster Mile’s frontstretch, along with race dignitaries, Swoop and the Eagles cheerleaders.
The Eagles will continue their support of autism awareness on Saturday, May 19 when the team hosts its inaugural Eagles Autism Challenge presented by Lincoln Financial Group. Taking place at Lincoln Financial Field, the cycling and 5K Run/Walk – which includes participation from the entire organization – will raise critical funds for innovative autism research and programs. Interested participants can register at www.eaglesautismchallenge.org.
“Autism is one of the fastest-growing developmental disorders in the country, yet it has been historically misunderstood and under-researched,” said Ryan Hammond, Eagles Autism Challenge Executive Director. “We are proud to join NASCAR and Dover International Speedway in their collective efforts to turn autism awareness into action on Sunday.”
As a way to further drive the conversation around autism awareness and support, the Eagles Autism Challenge logo will be featured on the No. 3 paint scheme at the “AAA 400 Drive for Autism.”
Miss Delaware Sierra Wright – Race fans will have several opportunities to meet her throughout the day at the track. She will be available for autographs and photos with fans at several locations Sunday around the speedway grounds.
The 20-year-old Wright was crowned Miss Delaware USA 2018 on November 26,2017 at the conclusion of the pageant held at the Double Tree by Hilton in Wilmington.
Sierra will represent the First State at the 2018 Miss USA Pageant later this year. She resides in Wilmington, Delaware.
