F-16 flyover and color guard will also add to pre-race festivities next weekend
ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (Feb. 23, 2023) – Annika Sorenstam, one of the greatest LPGA golfers of all-time, and multi-platinum entertainer and TV/film actor Trace Adkins will each participate in key roles on the pre-race grid of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding next weekend, March 3-5.
Adkins will perform the national anthem as two F-16 Fighting Falcons from Homestead Air Reserve Base fly over the track and the color guard from American Legion Post 273 Madeira Beach presents the flags. Sorenstam, an Orlando resident, will serve as the grand marshal and give the command for drivers to start their engines before the season-opening NTT INDYCAR SERIES race on the downtown streets of St. Pete on Sunday, March 5. Coverage of the race will be televised nationally on NBC beginning at 12 p.m. ET.
During her 15-year Hall of Fame career, Annika Sorenstam collected over 90 worldwide wins, including 72 on the LPGA and 10 major championships. She also won a record eight Rolex Player of the Year awards and is still the LPGA’s all-time money leader with over $22 million in earnings. Annika remains closely connected to the greater Tampa Bay area as the host of the penultimate LPGA event of the season, The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican, held at Pelican Golf Club in November.
“I’m excited to be the grand marshal of the first INDYCAR race of the year in St. Petersburg to help kick off both the racing season and Women’s History Month,” said Sorenstam. “For my entire life, golf has been a vehicle that’s helped shape me on and off the course. I can’t wait to see the cars speed around a different type of course through downtown St. Pete! Also, I'm looking forward to getting back to nearby Pelican Golf Club in Belleair later this year to host the best LPGA players in the world at The ANNIKA driven by Gainbridge at Pelican.”
Trace Adkins has sold over 11 million albums, charted 40 singles on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart, earned numerous awards and multiple Grammy nominations, plus garnered over 2 billion streams since his debut in 1996. A Grand Ole Opry member for nearly two decades, he’s also known for notable roles as an actor in film and television, including voice-overs for Firestone commercials. Recently, Adkins set out for his headline Somewhere in America 2023 Tour which spans coast-to-coast throughout this year.
“It is always a distinct honor to perform our national anthem at any event, but it’s an extra thrill to kick off the start of the Firestone Grand Prix,” said Adkins. “As a longtime auto racing fan, I look forward to attending the Grand Prix of St. Petersburg.”
“We are honored to have such accomplished performers in their respective fields joining us at the 19th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding,” said Kim Green, co-owner, chairman and CEO of Green Savoree Racing Promotions, organizers of the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding. “Annika is the greatest female golfer to ever play the game, and Trace is a country music icon. We are thrilled to have them both be a part of this marquee event and add to the pre-race excitement next weekend as we kick off a new NTT INDYCAR SERIES season.”
Tickets are still available for the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding, March 3-5, at gpstpete.com. Ahead of the race weekend, two community events will jump start the festivities on Thursday, March 2: INDYCAR Party in the Park and the Wellcare Ambetter Health 5K on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg Track.
INDYCAR Party in the Park will take place at North Straub Park from 5:30-8 p.m. ET on Thursday, March 2. Free to the public, the second annual party will feature special guests, including NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers, music, giveaways, food and drink. Race cars running on the Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding weekend schedule will also be on display for fans to view up close.
The 5K returns for the first time since 2019 giving runners and walkers the unique opportunity to race on the same course as the race cars. Participants can register in advance for $40 at gpstpete5k.com with all proceeds benefiting the Police Athletic League of St. Petersburg. The race begins at 6 p.m. ET on March 2, starts and ends on Bay Shore Drive NE, adjacent to North Straub Park, and will join the race track at Turn 9 on Central Avenue.
For additional ticket prices, the event schedule and festival information, visit gpstpete.com. Follow Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding on social media using @gpstpete and #FirestoneGP for the latest updates. Joining the E-Club also provides insider access to the latest news and offers.
About Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg:
The 19th annual Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is a race event held during Florida’s spring break season. Traditionally the site of the NTT INDYCAR SERIES’ season-opening race, St. Pete is a destination city hosting this annual motorsports tradition and offering a festival atmosphere with its downtown location. The temporary circuit is a 1.8-mile, 14-turn configuration using the streets circling Pioneer Park, the Duke Energy Center for the Arts, The Dali Museum and extending onto the runways at Albert Whitted Airport, which overlooks the waterfront of Tampa Bay and picturesque St. Petersburg Harbor and Marina. Firestone Grand Prix of St. Petersburg presented by RP Funding is owned and operated by Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC. Green Savoree St. Petersburg, LLC is owned by Green Savoree Racing Promotions 2, LLC whose other subsidiaries also promote three additional INDYCAR SERIES races, The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio (June 30-July 2, 2023), Honda Indy Toronto (July 14-16, 2023), and Grand Prix of Portland (Sept. 1-3, 2023).
For more information, visit gpstpete.com, ‘like’ its Facebook page at @GPSTPETE or follow the event on Twitter @GPSTPETE and Instagram @GPSTPETE using #FirestoneGP.
About Annika Sorenstam:
In 2008, Annika stepped away from professional golf and created the ANNIKA Foundation, which currently hosts six global tournaments for junior girls with over 600 girls from 60 different countries competing annually. The Foundation also hosts a top women’s college tournament featuring 12 of the top Division I schools. The college player of the year wins the ANNIKA Award Presented by Stifel.
In 2014 the LPGA, in partnership with Rolex, the Rolex ANNIKA Major Award was established to recognize the player who, during a current LPGA Tour season, has the most outstanding record in all five major championships. In 2020, Annika was elected the President of the International Golf Federation which oversees golf in the Olympic Games. In 2021, Annika became the first female golfer to receive the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
In March of 2022, Annika launched Fizzy Beez, a line of full-flavor, vodka based, sparkling classic cocktails that are sweetened with organic honey. The name comes from Annika being a “busy bee.” The Cosmos, Margaritas, Moscow Mules and Mojitos are currently being sold in Ohio and Tennessee.
About Trace Adkins:
In his storied career in Country music, Trace Adkins has sold over 11 MILLION albums, charted 40 singles on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart, earned numerous awards, multiple GRAMMY nominations, and garnered over TWO BILLION streams. A Grand Ole Opry member for nearly two decades, the Louisiana native is known for his dynamic baritone, fiery live performance, and notable roles as an actor in film and TV. Since his 1996 breakout debut DREAMIN’ OUT LOUD delivered smashes “Every Light In The House,” which hit Top 5 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart and #1 “This Ain’t (No Thinkin’ Thing),” Adkins has pioneered a mix of classic Country minded traditionalism and adventurous, good-natured showmanship, breaking open new avenues in modern Country through fun-filled hits like “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Hillbilly Bone” with Blake Shelton. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of his debut with 2021’s release THE WAY I WANNA GO (Verge Records), the 25-song album has been applauded by Billboard as “a creative tour de force that serves up the lyrical and stylistic diversity that would make his hero [Ronnie] Milsap proud,” with Rolling Stone calling it “lighthearted club-ready fun…,” and PEOPLE praising it’s “packed to the hilt with hits.” From profound traditional balladry to clever-Country party anthems, the Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George produced project features special guests Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Melissa Etheridge, Pitbull, Snoop Dogg, Stevie Wonder on harmonica and more. Adkins' has set out for his headline SOMEWHERE IN AMERICA 2023 TOUR this month and spans coast-to-coast throughout the year.
