CLERMONT, Ind. – NHRA will present a very special tribute in recognition of the 10-year anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks as part of pre-race ceremonies Monday, Sept. 5, at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals presented by Lucas Oil, the world’s most prestigious drag race.
The special ceremony will open with a moving 9/11 video tribute as each qualified pro driver for the event at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis will help to unveil a 60-by-30-foot banner from the top of the Wally Parks Tower that reads “09-11-01: We Will Never Forget.”
Several special guests will take part in the ceremony, including retired Sgt. Maj. Tony Rose; Medal of Honor recipient from the U.S. Army John Caviani; and the mother of the youngest victim and hero of Flight 93, Debra Borza. The ceremony will begin approximately 30 minutes prior to the 11 a.m. start time for the NHRA Full Throttle Drag Racing Series event.
Rose, a 31-year veteran of the U.S. Army, will speak about his miraculous survival during the Pentagon attack, and Borza will introduce a special Ride of Valor motorcycle parade to honor the victims of Flight 93. Caviani will lead the race day crowd in a standing ovation for all active military members and veterans of the armed forces who continue their work to keep the nation safe.
A 10-unit parade of first responders and fire trucks will be recognized as they roll down the legendary drag strip’s return road so that fans may show their appreciation for their service to the community. After the parade, the Wounded Warriors of Fort Knox will be joined by the Future U.S. Army Soldiers and many local soldiers from the Indianapolis Recruiting Battalion to unfurl a very large American flag prior to the invocation. A special rendition of taps performed by a military bugler will honor those lost during 9/11 and will be followed by the singing of the national anthem by Indianapolis Police Officer Christopher Wilburn as a local color guard marches into position and skydiver Jason Peters soars into Lucas Oil Raceway.
Throughout the years, fans at Lucas Oil Raceway at Indianapolis have cheered on drag racing immortals like Shirley Muldowney, Bob Glidden, “Big Daddy” Don Garlits, Tom “The Mongoose” McEwen and Don “The Snake” Prudhomme as they raced to the winner’s circle at the Mac Tools U.S. Nationals and etched their names into the NHRA record book. Today’s stars — such as eight-time Mac Tools U.S. Nationals Top Fuel winner Tony Schumacher and four-time Funny Car winner John Force — will be racing at more than 300 mph to continue to build upon their legacies. For many of the competitors, the race has evolved into much more than an annual contest of speed. For those who seek to become a part of its mystique, winning the event has become a must for any great driver to complete his or her resume.
Tickets for the event are available at NHRATIX.com and by calling the NHRA Ticket Sales Center at (800) 884-NHRA. Fans purchasing adult reserved and general-admission tickets in advance will save $2 per ticket on gate ticket prices.
