The Event Marked the 100 Day Countdown Until INDYCAR Ignites the Streets of Downtown Nashville on August 4-6, 2023
Nashville, TN – April 26, 2023 – Big Machine Music City Grand Prix and the Grand Ole Opry partnered for a revved-up night of entertainment by hosting the “Grand Ole Prix” Night at the Opry on Tuesday (4/25). The 3rd Annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will take Nashville’s centerstage August 4-6 as the countdown begins now at 100 days out from the iconic race.
The ‘Grand Ole Prix’ Night at the Opry kicked off with appearances by INDYCAR Drivers Scott Dixon and Graham Rahal along with INDYCAR show cars on the Opry Plaza, the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix trophy on display for a photo opportunity and exciting giveaways.
The action continued as country artists Chris Janson, Conner Smith, Bill Anderson, Ingrid Andress, Bella White, and Daily & Vincent took the Opry stage along with a surprise musical guest - Rock Legend Vince Neil. Neil, Janson, and Smith are slated to perform during the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix Freedom Friday concert on Friday, August 4th. See the schedule HERE.
“We appreciate the rich history of the Grand Ole Opry and we’ve enjoyed a long-standing relationship now in its third year,” said Jason Rittenberry, President & COO, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “It was a great night of entertainment for our fans, and we’re excited to be counting down the days until INDYCAR hits Nashville this August. We’ve got 100 days of unique promotions, community events and so much more. It’s going to be our best race yet.”
Race organizers encourage fans to follow them on their social media platforms at @musiccitygp to catch all the exciting updates, news and action happening over the next 100 days until the 3rd Annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix takes to the streets of Nashville this August.
There’s still time to grab your favorite spot along the course as race tickets are on sale now. Don’t miss the hottest ticket in Nashville sports starting as little as $139.00 per person, fans can choose a 3-day package to immerse themselves into Music City’s premier festival of racing and music.
Want the best seats in the house? The NetJets Club RPM presented by Flatrock Motorclub tickets are the most premium experience and will accommodate more guests in 2023. Located in Turn 3, Club RPM has dynamic views, air conditioning, and all-day premium food and beverages, and each ticket includes a paddock pass. Club RPM has sold out quickly in the past. A limited number of tickets are available now during the initial ticket on-sale. In addition, the event added Turn 9 Club, a new all-inclusive experience with incredible views of the most action-packed corner and its own private grandstand, air-conditioned tented area, with food and beverage included all day.
Big Machine Music City Grand Prix 2023 Tickets
Club Packages:
3-day Club RPM – $2,850 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food, premium open bar)
3-day East Club – $1,449 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food, beer & wine)
3-day Turn 9 Club – $849 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food, beer & wine)
Grandstand and General Admission:
3-day Grandstand – $219
3-day Premium Grandstand – $229 (with chairbacks)
3-day General Admission – $139
*Please note all above ticket pricing is per person and does not include ticket fees.
Ticket options are available at www.musiccitygp.com/tickets. Other premium hospitality options can be purchased by calling (615) 270-8705 or via email at tickets@musiccitygp.com.
Tickets for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are digital, and all fans must adhere to the Nissan Stadium rules and regulations, including the clear bag policy. For a complete list of FAQs on ticketing and race weekend policies, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
ABOUT THE BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX:
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day premier festival of racing and music from Aug. 4-6 featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy NXT, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked CoolersTrans Am TA2 Series, and Stadium SUPER Trucks.
ABOUT THE GRAND OLE OPRY:
Opry presents the best in country music live every week from Nashville, TN. The Opry can be heard at opry.com and wsmonline.com, Opry and WSM mobile apps, SiriusXM, and its flagship home, 650 AM-WSM, with Saturday night shows seen on the Circle Network. For more information, visit www.opry.com.
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Celebrities Unite to Support Worthy Cause as Excitement Builds Leading Up to the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix August 4-6
NASHVILLE, TN – June 6, 2023 - Big Machine Music City Grand Prix hosted their annual Celebrity Charity Golf Tournament on Monday, June 5th at the Old Hickory Country Club to benefit CreatiVets, a non-profit organization that supports healing Veterans through creative outlets.
The tournament was sponsored by Big Machine Spiked Coolers, A.O.Smith, Edley’s Bar-B-Que, Nissan of Rivergate, Margaritaville Hotel-Nashville, Daddy’s Dogs, Silverbelly Whiskey, Flatrock Motorclub, Phillips & Jordan, Anheuser-Busch, Hooters, Red Bull, Velocity Motorcars and Twine Graphics.
Celebrities that joined together to support their mission and play in the tournament included John Berry, T. Graham Brown, Jillian Cardarelli, Chris Ferrara, Matt Ferranti, Filmore, Vince Gill, Jordan James, Damon Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Corey Levin, Walker Montgomery, Donnie Reis, Jordan Roos, Mitch Rossell, John Schneider, Dan Tyminksi and Bailey Zimmerman.
“We are so proud to support the incredible work CreatiVets does in our community,” said Jason Rittenberry, President & COO, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “Music City has such vast talent, we knew this would be the perfect opportunity to connect our Veterans with some of Nashville’s top talent in order to make an impact in their programming.”
CreatiVets offers opportunities for relief and healing for the men and women who sacrifice so much for our country. Their purpose is to use various forms of art, including songwriting, visual arts, music, and creative writing, to help disabled veterans cope with service-related trauma (i.e., post-traumatic stress, or PTS) by fostering self-expression they transform their stories of trauma and struggle into art forms inspiring and motivating continued healing. Through compassion, we are helping veterans live again.
Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is set to take the streets of Nashville August 4 - 6. The action-packed, three-day festival weekend features the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with Indy NXT, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked Cooler Trans Am TA2 Series and Stadium SUPER Trucks
Starting at $139.00 per person, fans can choose a 3-day package to immerse themselves into Music City’s premier festival of racing and music.
Due to popular demand, the NetJets Club RPM presented by Flatrock Motorclub, the most premium experience, will accommodate more guests in 2023. Located in Turn 3, Club RPM has dynamic views, air conditioning, and all-day premium food and beverages. Club RPM has sold out quickly in the past. A limited number of tickets are available. In addition, new for 2023, Turn 9 Club offers an all-inclusive experience with incredible views of the most action-packed corner and its own private grandstand, air-conditioned tented area, and food and beverage included all day.
Big Machine Music City Grand Prix 2023 Tickets
Club Packages:
3-day Club RPM – $2,850 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food, premium open bar)
3-day East Club – $1,449 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food, beer & wine)
3-day Turn 9 Club – $849 all-inclusive (includes paddock pass, concert access, food, beer & wine)
Grandstand and General Admission:
3-day Grandstand – $219
3-day Premium Grandstand – $229 (with chairbacks)
3-day General Admission – $139
*Please note all above ticket pricing is per person and does not include ticket fees.
Ticket options are available at www.musiccitygp.com/tickets. Other premium hospitality options can be purchased by calling (615) 270-8705 or via email tickets@musiccitygp.com.
Tickets for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are digital, and all fans must adhere to the Nissan Stadium rules and regulations, including the clear bag policy. For a complete list of FAQs on ticketing and race weekend policies, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
ABOUT THE BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day premier festival of racing and music from Aug. 4-6 featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy NXT, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked Cooler Trans Am TA2 Series and Stadium SUPER Trucks.
Ticket Packages, Clubs and Suites are now available to watch the best INDYCAR drivers race for the Big Machine Music City Cup. Fans can choose their optimal grandstand seat to watch as the drivers compete in the 80-lap, 2.1-mile, 11-turn course which races around Nissan Stadium, over the Cumberland River, and curves around downtown Nashville. The adrenaline-fueled event will feature live music each day and culminate with a headline concert on Friday and Saturday nights.
For a complete list of FAQs on ticketing, race weekend policies or for more information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
ABOUT CREATIVETS
CreatiVets is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that empowers wounded veterans to heal through art and music. We work primarily with veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and traumatic brain injury, giving them opportunities to use art, music, and creative writing to heal their unseen wounds of war. Our aim is to equip veterans with lifelong tools for success beyond the battlefield. Learn more about our mission and programs at www.creativets.org.
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SUPERSTAR FLO RIDA TO HEADLINE SATURDAY EVENING CONCERT ON THE ZYN MAIN STAGE
ROCK LEGEND VINCE NEIL, CHRIS JANSON, GAVIN DEGRAW & MORE TO HEADLINE THE WESLEY MORTGAGE FREEDOM FRIDAY CONCERT HONORING MILITARY & FIRST RESPONDERS
iHEARTRADIO PRESENTS COUNTRY MUSIC’S BRIGHTEST NEW TALENT INCLUDING MEGAN MORONEY, DILLON CARMICHAEL, FRANK RAY, TIM DUGGER, MAE ESTES, NEON UNION, RYAN GRIFFIN, CONNOR MCCUTCHEON, ZOEE & MORE ON THE iHEARTRADIO FAN ZONE STAGE
SUNDAY MORNING PRE-RACE PRAISE STAGE HOSTED BY JAY DEMARCUS OF RASCAL FLATTS TO FEATURE JASON CRABB, CONSUMED BY FIRE, CADE THOMPSON & IVETH LUNA PRESENTED BY RED STREET RECORDS
NASHVILLE, TN – April 19, 2023 – The third annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix announces a hit-filled mix of talent performing as part of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES weekend August 4-6, 2023. Race fans and music lovers will have the chance to experience the best and brightest on the track and on the stages.
“Music has been a big part of the experience since we launched in 2021 and this year is no different. We are bringing fans the best and brightest artists on the scene today,” said Jason Rittenberry, President & COO, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “Music programming will take place on the iHeartRadio Fan Zone stage during daytime hours Friday through Sunday, with our Freedom Friday evening concert kicking the weekend off in a big way on the Zyn main stage. We will continue to add artists to this lineup as we get closer to the event, as so many artists are interested in the exposure our event brings.”
Music programming will complement the race programming across the 3-day event weekend. The action-packed, three-day festival weekend features the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with Indy NXT, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked Cooler Trans Am TA2 Series and Stadium SUPER Trucks.
Friday, August 4
Saturday, August 5
Sunday, August 6
**ALL TIMES TENTATIVE, SUBJECT TO CHANGE
Starting at $139.00 per person, fans can choose a 3-day package to immerse themselves into Music City’s premier festival of racing and music.
Due to popular demand, the NetJets Club RPM presented by Flatrock Motorclub tickets, the most premium experience, will accommodate more guests in 2023. Located on Turn 3, it has dynamic views, air conditioning, and all-day premium food and beverages. Club RPM has sold out quickly in the past. A limited number of tickets are available now during the initial ticket on-sale. In addition, the event added Turn 9 Club, a new all-inclusive experience with incredible views of the most action-packed corner and its own private grandstand, air-conditioned tented area, and food and beverage included all day.
Big Machine Music City Grand Prix 2023 Tickets
Grandstand and General Admission:
*Please note all above ticket pricing is per person and does not include ticket fees.
Ticket options are available at www.musiccitygp.com/tickets Other premium hospitality options can be purchased by calling (615) 270-8705 or via email at tickets@musiccitygp.com.
Tickets for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are digital, and all fans must adhere to the Nissan Stadium rules and regulations, including the clear bag policy. For a complete list of FAQs on ticketing and race weekend policies, please visit musiccitygp.com.
ABOUT THE BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX
The Big Machine Music City Grand Prix is a three-day premier festival of racing and music from Aug. 4-6 featuring the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, Indy NXT, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked Cooler Trans Am TA2 Series and Stadium SUPER Trucks. For more information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com or contact info@musiccitygp.com.
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BIG MACHINE MUSIC CITY GRAND PRIX ANNOUNCES NEW ADRENALINE FUELED FAN EXPERIENCES INCLUDING A SATURDAY NIGHT RACE AND A 200-MPH SUNDAY BRUNCH
NASHVILLE, TN – February 22, 2023 - The third annual Big Machine Music City Grand Prix announces the addition of a Saturday night race under the lights of downtown Nashville in addition to an earlier start time on Sunday for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES weekend August 4-6, 2023. The Saturday Night Race will showcase the new SRO GR Cup and the returning SRO GT America Series, featuring super car manufacturers Lamborghini, Ferrari, Aston Martin, Porsche, and more.
After a late afternoon start time the first two years, race executives and INDYCAR worked together with NBC to move the green flag for the NTT INDYCAR Series Sunday race start time to 11:30am so fans will enjoy cooler temperatures and a full day of thrilling race action.
3-Day Ticket Packages, Clubs and Suites are now available to watch the best INDYCAR drivers race for the Big Machine Music City Cup. Fans can choose their optimal grandstand seat to watch as the drivers compete in the 80-lap, 2.1-mile, 11-turn course which races around Nissan Stadium, over the Cumberland River, and curves around downtown Nashville. The adrenaline-fueled event will feature live music each day and culminate with a headline concert Friday and Saturday night.
“We are thrilled to bring back one of Nashville’s premier sporting events this summer,” said Jason Rittenberry, President & COO, Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. “We listened to our fans and have made some exciting changes that will enhance the overall festival experience. This will be our best race yet.”
Due to popular demand, the NetJets Club RPM presented by Flatrock Motorclub tickets, the most premium experience, will accommodate more guests in 2023. Located on Turn 3, it has dynamic views, air conditioning, and all-day premium food and beverages. Club RPM has sold out quickly in the past. A limited number of tickets are available now during the initial ticket on-sale. In addition, the event added Turn 9 Club, a new all-inclusive experience with incredible views of the most action-packed corner and its own private grandstand, air-conditioned tented area, and food and beverage included all day.
“What’s New” at the Race in 2023:
“Fan Favorites” Returning in 2023:
The action-packed, three-day festival weekend features the NTT INDYCAR SERIES, along with Indy NXT, GT America, GR Cup, the Big Machine Spiked Cooler Trans Am TA2 Series and Stadium SUPER Trucks.
Starting at $139.00 per person, fans can choose a 3-day package to immerse themselves into Music City’s premier festival of racing and music.
Big Machine Music City Grand Prix 2023 Tickets
Grandstand and General Admission:
*Please note all above ticket pricing is per person and does not include ticket fees.
Ticket options are available at www.musiccitygp.com/tickets Other premium hospitality options can be purchased by calling (615) 270-8705 or via email at tickets@musiccitygp.com.
Tickets for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix are digital, and all fans must adhere to the Nissan Stadium rules and regulations, including the clear bag policy. For a complete list of FAQs on ticketing and race weekend policies, please visit musiccitygp.com.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (September 30, 2022) - - Today the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix announced a
series of executive-level promotions to strengthen their overall organization and support the growth of
the event as they enter their third year in August 2023. The three-day festival of racing and music
features the NTT IndyCar Series on the streets of Nashville and multiple concerts from many of music’s
biggest stars.
Most notable of the executive changes, Jason Rittenberry will assume the additional role of President.
Rittenberry has served as Chief Operating Officer from the inception of the event. In his new role as
President & Chief Operating Officer he will continue to oversee all operations of the event and on track
motorsports activity. A 22-year veteran of motorsports and entertainment, Rittenberry previously
served as Chief Strategy Officer at Circuit of The Americas overseeing the Formula One United States
Grand Prix and Austin 360 Amphitheater. His career includes tenure as President & CEO of IRG Sports +
Entertainment and President & General Manager of Memphis Motorsports Park.
Liz Allison has been named Executive Vice President. Allison, having served as Director of Partnerships,
Client Services and Special Events, since joining the team in January of 2021, will expand her
responsibilities in this new executive role. Allison has over 25-years of motorsports client services,
special events and premium hospitality experience in NASCAR. Allison is the wife of the late Davey
Allison, and later a member of the sports media covering motorsports. As Executive Vice President, she
will continue to oversee strategic and investor relations, partnerships, guest experiences and premium
hospitality.
Tony Cotman, the original course designed for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, has been named
Director of Infrastructure in addition to his role as Track Designer. Cotman will continue to oversee the
course design, work closely with motorsports sanctioning bodies, and manage the organization’s rapidly
growing infrastructure inventory. Cotman has over 25-years of motorsports experience and also serves
as President of NZR Consulting. He has a unique background in race course and track design,
construction and operations and serves as the designer of multiple racing circuits worldwide. Cotman
previously served as the Vice President of Competition for IndyCar, Vice President of Operations for
ChampCar and as an IndyCar Steward and Racetrack Engineer and Designer. He currently serves as the
US Representative to the Federation Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA).
Brad Margolis has been named as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President of Finance and Administration.
In addition to finance and administration, Margolis will oversee the ticketing sales and operations for
the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix. Prior to the MCGP, Margolis spent the last 13 years working with
a single-family office that built and invested in consumer businesses spanning media and entertainment,
festivals, restaurants, sports, and technology. He holds a BBA in Accounting from the University of
Georgia and an MBA from Columbia Business School.
“I’m incredibly proud of this executive team. There is well over 100 years of motorsports and festival
experience between this group of leaders”, stated Matt Crews, CEO. “Dedication, hard work, passion,
and leadership from this team is immeasurable and will be instrumental in our continued growth and
position us as one of Nashville and motorsports marquee events.”
In addition to these executive level changes, the organization announced the following senior
management promotions. Charlie Legeman promoted to Sr Director of Sales and Partnerships, Kent
Russell promoted to Sr. Director of Ticketing and Kristen Moser promoted to Sr. Director of Operations.
For more information on the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix visit www.musiccitygp.com or follow along using @MusicCityGP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 17, 2022) – The second edition of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix made quite an impact off the track in the Nashville community ranging from a successful art auction benefiting the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt to showing appreciation for military and first responders.
Grand Prix partners were extremely active leading into and during the race weekend with activities including Southern Company’s $1 million pledge to the Helmets to Hardhats program and Knauf Insulation’s month-long glass recycling initiative.
“Nashville provides the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix an incredible platform to create a marquee festival of sound and speed,” Big Machine Music City Grand Prix CEO Matt Crews said. “It’s important that we use this platform to give back to the community. We are incredibly lucky that many of our partners have joined in this effort to make the city we love a better place.”
Among the community-driven highlights from the Aug. 5-7 event held around the Nissan Stadium campus:
Editor’s note: INDYCAR provides a digital Video News Feed featuring material from the NTT INDYCAR SERIES. The Video News Feed recaps the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on the streets of Nashville. Video is available for download here.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 7, 2022) – Six-time NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Scott Dixon of Chip Ganassi Racing captured Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix to move into sole possession of second place for career wins in INDYCAR history.
Dixon held off Team Penske’s Scott McLaughlin by 0.1067 of a second to secure his 53rd career win – and second of the season – to break a tie with the legendary Mario Andretti. The all-time record of 67 wins is held by another legend, A.J. Foyt.
The 80-lap, second running of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix had eight cautions on the technical 2.1-mile, 11-turn layout around Nissan Stadium and across the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge that fell nicely into Dixon’s favor. He started 14th, got caught up in an incident and on Lap 29 was actually running last in the 26-car field after a penalty for emergency service of his damaged car in a closed pit. The CGR race strategy included a race-high six pit stops to help move him through the field and into contention.
“Kudos to the team,” Dixon said. “We had a big crash there that took half the floor off the car. We had to take four turns of front wing out, so we had no grip. Nashville is so awesome.”
McLaughlin, the pole sitter, and Dixon’s teammate Alex Palou, who finished third, dominated the first half of the race that led to podium finishes for both. McLaughlin led the first 22 laps before Palou took the point for a race-high 31 laps.
Nashville’s Josef Newgarden inherited the lead but needed a number of caution laps to avoid pitting and losing the lead. He led 12 laps before he opted to pit during a caution and settled for a sixth-place finish despite contact with Romain Grosjean.
Dixon pounced on the opportunity as he took the lead from Newgarden on Lap 66 and was able to hold off a charging McLaughlin for the final 15 laps. McLaughlin made a final dash to the inside of Dixon heading to the checkered flag on the front straight but fell just shy.
“We were worried about him (McLaughlin) because I knew he would take chances,” Dixon said. “He kind of has to with the standings at the moment. He was super fast as well. He had fresh tires, too. I was a sitting duck. If there had been a lap or two more, it would have been really tough to do.”
“We were alongside there across the finish line,” McLaughlin added. “But man, we were 16th on that last pit exchange and had an awesome restart, and then the car was fast. Just fell short at the end. Congrats to Scotty. Always dreamed of racing him to the finish. That was a proper duel.”
The victory moved Dixon into prime contention for the NTT INDYCAR SERIES championship, improving to second behind Team Penske’s Will Power. Power, who finished 11th, owns a six-point lead over Dixon, 450-444, with three races remaining in the 17-event season.
The race was delayed for 90 minutes due to inclement weather, including lightning in the area.Sunday Notebook:Linus Lundqvist of HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing continued his dominant season with his series-leading fifth win in Sunday’s Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires race. He started on the pole and led all 35 laps as he cruised to a 7.221-second victory over Sting Ray Robb of Andretti Autosport. Robb’s Andretti Autosport teammate Hunter McElrea was third in the caution-free race. … Justin Wetherill, who finished runner-up in Saturday evening’s opening race, earned the victory in Sunday’s SRO GT America finale. He edged his Triarsi Competizione teammate Onofrio Triarsi, Friday’s race winner, by .0342 of a second to give Ferrari the top two spots. Mirco Schultis, driving a Corvette, finished third for Mishumotors in the SRO3 class. Robb Holland, driving a Porsche for Rotek Racing, was tops for the second time in two races in the GT4 class as he took ninth overall. … Gavin Harlien, who finished runner-up in Friday’s Stadium SUPER Trucks opener, won Sunday’s finale. He nipped Saturday’s winner Matt Brabham by 0.0811 of a second for his second win of the season.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 6, 2022) – Team Penske driver Scott McLaughlin captured the pole position Saturday for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix with a stellar final lap in qualifying on the temporary street circuit in downtown Nashville.
McLaughlin (No. 3 Chevrolet) recorded a final lap of 1 minute, 14.5555 seconds (101.401 mph) on the 2.1-mile, 11-turn layout in the Firestone Fast Six to secure his second pole of the season. His other pole came at the season-opening race on the streets of St. Petersburg, where he went on to his first career NTT INDYCAR SERIES win.
Romain Grosjean (No. 28 Honda) of Andretti Autosport qualified a season-best second with a lap of 1:14.6975 (101.208 mph). Rahal Letterman Lanigan Racing rookie Christian Lundgaard (No. 30 Honda) also established a season-best qualifying performance by taking third with a lap of 1:14.7149 (101.185).
Defending NTT INDYCAR SERIES champion Alex Palou (No. 10 Honda) of Chip Ganassi Racing qualified fourth (1:14.9087 | 100.923 mph) and Arrow McLaren SP’s Pato O’Ward (No. 5 Chevrolet) was fifth (1:14.9261 | 100.899).
Nashville’s Josef Newgarden (No. 3 Chevrolet) of Team Penske rounded out the Firestone Fast Six with a lap of 1:15.1461 (100.604 mph).
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will return to the track at 9:15 a.m. CT Sunday for a 30-minute warm-up session. The 80-lap Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Round 14 of the 17-race NTT INDYCAR SERIES, will take the green flag at 2:30 p.m. NBC television coverage begins at 2 p.m.Saturday Notebook: Fourteen-year-old Brent Crews, who became the youngest Trans Am winner in history last race at Road America, made it two in a row with a win in Saturday’s race. Crews, who started second, earned a 1.54-second victory over Connor Mosack in the 70-minute timed race. Nashville’s Scott Borchetta, who finished 3.213 seconds back of Crews, finished third for the first podium of his career. … Indy Lights Presented by Cooper Tires qualifying was cancelled due to inclement weather. The starting line-up will be based off entry points. Points leader Linus Lundqvist of HMD Motorsports with Dale Coyne Racing will start on the pole while Hunter McElrea of Andretti Autosport will start second. Lundqvist leads McElrea by 76 points coming into Sunday’s race that begins at 12:10 p.m. … Onofrio Triarsi went wire to wire to take the win in the SRO GT America opener of the weekend doubleheader. Justin Wetherill finished runner-up to give Ferrari the top two spots. Jason Daskalos, in an Audi, was third with SRO3 drivers sweeping the podium. Robb Holland was the top GT4 finisher in a Porsche, taking 10th overall. The weekend finale is a 40-minute, timed race that starts at 10:55 a.m. Sunday. … Matt Brabham won the opening race of the Speed Energy Stadium SUPER Trucks doubleheader weekend, edging Gavin Harlien by 0.7009 of a second in the 10-lap event. Max Gordon finished third. Brabham’s win was his first of the season and 24th of his career, which ranks third all time.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (August 4, 2022) – The Big Machine Label Group trio of founder, president and CEO Scott Borchetta and MULTI-PLATINUM superstars Brantley Gilbert and Carly Pearce will be serving in prominent pre-race roles for Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix NTT INDYCAR SERIES race around the Nissan Stadium campus in downtown Nashville.
Borchetta was named the Honorary Starter and will wave the green flag from the starter’s stand to initiate the second edition of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix (TV: NBC, 2 p.m. CT). He is scheduled to wave the green at 2:30 p.m. to open the 14th race of the 17-event NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.
Borchetta is the Founder, President and CEO of Big Machine Label Group, the leading independent record label home to superstars such as Tim McGraw, Sheryl Crow, Lady A, Thomas Rhett, Gilbert, Pearce and many more. He also is HYBE America Chairman of Record Labels. With Borchetta at the helm, Big Machine has celebrated monumental success since the company’s inception over 16 years ago. He has led the charge on more than 65 million albums sold by Big Machine artists in addition to sending over 200 singles to #1 on the Country, Pop and Rock charts.
Gilbert, serving as the race’s Grand Marshal, will precede Borchetta with the honor of delivering the traditional-rich “Start Your Engines” command to the NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers. The command is scheduled for 2:23 p.m.
Gilbert, who was previously named ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year (2012) and Top New Male Artist (2013), is a MULTI-PLATINUM-selling Georgia native with a grassroots following millions strong. Seven No. 1 hits punctuate his career: “Country Must be Country Wide,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” CMA Awards Song of the Year nominee “Dirt Road Anthem,” “My Kinda Party,” RIAA 5X PLATINUM-certified “Bottoms Up,” “One Hell of an Amen” and the collaboration with Lindsay Ell, “What Happens In A Small Town,” plus his landmark record JUST AS I AM clinched the 2014 American Music Award for Favorite Country Album. Following his “Rolex ® On A Redneck” collaboration with Jason Aldean, Gilbert partnered with Jelly Roll for their new song “Son Of The Dirty South.”
Pearce will be performing a stunning rendition of the National Anthem to highlight the pre-race festivities. She will perform the National Anthem live at 2:12 p.m.
The reigning ACM/CMA Female Artist/Vocalist of the Year has enjoyed a recent wave of significant accolades as her “Never Wanted To Be That Girl” duet with Ashley McBryde became her second consecutive ACM Awards Music Event of the Year win and 29: Written in Stone was nominated for Album of the Year. The song also marked Pearce’s third No. 1 hit and they became only the third duet between two solo women to top Country Airplay since the Billboard chart’s 1990 inception.
Gilbert and Pearce also will headline Sunday’s special Grand Ole Prix show at the Nissan Stadium campus following the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race. Fellow Big Machine Label Group artists Midland and Callista Clark will join them during the special version of the esteemed Grand Ole Opry show beginning at 5:45 p.m. CT on the ZYN Main Stage. Admission to the concert is included as part of a Sunday race ticket.
The Big Machine Label Group trio will be joined by special guest Jordan Johnson, who is serving as the race’s Junior Ambassador. His role will include shaking hands and welcoming each NTT INDYCAR SERIES driver to Nashville during pre-race activities as well as presenting the winner’s trophy following Sunday’s Indy Lights race. He also kicked off Thursday’s Pit Stop Challenge at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix FanFest by waving the green flag to officially kick off the six-team competition on Broadway.
The 17-year-old Johnson is an incredible success story after being hit by a baseball during a game in the summer of 2020. A visit to Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt for a scan revealed that Jordan had a giant cerebral cavernous malformation, which is an abnormal grouping of small blood vessels inside of his brain stem. The lesion had likely been there since birth, gradually had grown over time and by the time Jordan suffered the hit the lesion had reached a critical size. The options were to continue to let it grow, with the possibility of a life-threatening rupture, or to remove it with a high-risk surgery, which could affect his ability to move and communicate.
Jordan’s condition required an eight-hour brain surgery by the neurosurgery team led by Jay Wellons III, MD, MSPH at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, followed by two weeks of recovery in the hospital. When Jordan departed the hospital, he began the arduous journey through rehabilitation where he had to relearn everything from eating to walking. He continues outpatient rehabilitation today and continues to make great strides in his recovery.
Three-day event packages as well as single-day tickets are still available, including for Sunday’s Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, by visiting www.musiccitygp.com/tickets.About the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix:
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit Nashville Friday through Sunday for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Round 14 of the 17-race season. The three-day festival of racing and music also will include Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists led by Tim McGraw on Saturday, and Carly Pearce and Brantley Gilbert for the Grand Ole Prix show on Sunday. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
Media Contact:
Mike Zizzo | Communications Director | Big Machine Music City Grand Prix | mzizzo@musiccitygp.com| 817.528.4676 (cell)
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (July 27, 2022) – Three-day reserved grandstand and general admission Big Machine Music City Grand Prix ticket holders have a limited opportunity to upgrade their Aug. 5-7 race weekend with the addition of the Tootsie’s Starting Line Club presented by Busch Light all-inclusive premium upgrade.
The Tootsie’s Starting Line Club presented by Busch Light, which debuted at last year’s inaugural Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, returns for the 2022 edition to provide an all-inclusive food and beverage option, including beer and wine, for three-day ticket holders. Live entertainment also will be featured daily.
The unique hospitality area is located beneath the Korean War Veterans Memorial Bridge in Lot T of Nissan Stadium near the start line of the 2.17-mile temporary street circuit in downtown Nashville.
The hospitality area is ideally located with easy access to roam the key areas of the Nissan Stadium campus, including the FanZone, ZYN main stage for the evening concerts and access to grandstands 6 & 7.
The Tootsie’s Starting Line Club presented by Busch Light will be available from 9:30 a.m.-7:15 p.m. Friday, Aug. 5; 9 a.m.-8:30 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 6; and 8 a.m.-5:45 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 7. Overall, ticket holders for the Tootsie’s Starting Line Club will have more than 30 hours of hospitality available to them over the course of the three-day weekend.
The Tootsie’s Starting Line Club presented by Busch Light is available at $400 per person (plus fees) for the three-day race weekend. This premium upgrade is only available to three-day reserved grandstand and general admission ticket holders.
For more information or to purchase a ticket for the Tootsie’s Starting Line Club presented by Busch Light, please click here.
About Tootsie's Orchid Lounge:
Tootsie’s remains Nashville's go-to destination for locals and visitors alike. Tootsie's has more music history per square inch than anywhere else in Music City. Famous early customers were Kris Kristofferson, Faron Young, Willie Nelson, Tom T. Hall, Hank Cochran, Mel Tillis, Roger Miller, Webb Pierce, Waylon Jennings, Patsy Cline and many more. Performers at the Opry would sometimes sneak out the side door and grab a drink at Tootsie’s between sets. In 1992, local businessman Steve Smith reinvested in Tootsies and is credited for revitalizing downtown Nashville. Fast forward 30 years, and Tootsie’s is not only providing world-class entertainment for millions of visitors to Music City, but also involved in motorsports as one of the sponsors of the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix.
About the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix:
The NTT INDYCAR SERIES will visit Nashville Aug. 5-7 for the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix, Round 14 of the 17-race season. The three-day festival of racing and music also will include Indy Lights, GT America, Trans Am, Stadium SUPER Trucks and Vintage Indy. The musical entertainment is highlighted by nightly on-site concerts featuring prominent artists led by Tim McGraw on Saturday, Aug. 6, and Carly Pearce and Brantley Gilbert for the Grand Ole Prix show on Sunday, Aug. 7. For ticket and event information, please visit www.musiccitygp.com.
Media Contact:
Mike Zizzo | Communications Director | Big Machine Music City Grand Prix | mzizzo@musiccitygp.com | 817.528.4676 (cell)
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