Max Impact to perform at NASCAR events

Published Oct. 21, 2014
By Senior Master Sgt. Bob Kamholz

Washington, D.C. -- Generating public awareness about the Air Force, its people and mission is a top priority for public affairs and recruiting offices Air Force wide. One way The United States Air Force Band supports this mission is performing at national sporting events throughout the year. Max Impact, the premier rock band of the U.S. Air Force, is honored to be part of the Ford Ecoboost 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway, which will be broadcast on ESPN2.

The Band's Operations section created an additional duty position in 2013 to target major sporting events in metropolitan Washington, D.C., as well as the organization's assigned national tour area. Technical Sgt. Adam Green, a percussionist in the Concert Band, holds the position of National Sporting Event Engagement Manager serving as the Band's single point of contact for these appearances. According to Master Sgt. Blake Arrington, the non-commissioned officer in charge of national tours, "NASCAR has always been on our radar. The ability to reach more than 80,000 in a single venue, not to mention the national media coverage, provides outreach opportunities that are invaluable."

The public affairs office of the Air Force Recruiting Service agrees with Arrington and feels NASCAR fans tend to be very patriotic and show strong support for the teams, drivers and team sponsors. The Air Force maintains a contract with Richard Petty Motorsports and driver Aric Almirola by sponsoring car number 43, the official Air Force NASCAR. According to a recent talking paper published by the Office of Public Affairs for the Air Force Recruiting Service, "The Air Force's NASCAR sponsorship is a strategic sponsorship opportunity that reflects Air Force core values and has a positive impact on generating public awareness about the Air Force, its people and mission. It's also a great way to highlight the connection between our Air Force mission and the science, technology, engineering and math principles that play a major role in NASCAR."

Max Impact is scheduled to perform a 60-minute concert on Friday, Nov. 14 before the truck race. They will also perform a 60-minute set before the nationwide race on Saturday, Nov. 15, including Senior Master Sgt. Ryan Carson, lead vocalist and non-commissioned officer in charge of Max Impact, singing the national anthem before the race, which will be broadcast live on ESPN2. Carson is also scheduled to sing "God Bless America" during a pre-race enlistment ceremony on Sunday, Nov. 16, followed by a 90-minute concert with Max Impact before the Sprint Cup championship race.

Each performance gives these Airmen musicians the unique opportunity to interact with the public and tell their Air Force story as well as honor our veterans and heighten the patriotism of those in attendance. According to Carson, "We will perform patriotic selections, 80s classics, country tunes and of course our Max Impact originals."