Finalists on NBC’s “The Voice” to give the command and sing the national anthem at Ohio’s largest annual motorsports event
LEXINGTON, Ohio (June 28, 2023) - The singing sisters of Sorellé from Lexington, Ohio, are set to serve in multiple honorary roles at the 40th running of The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2023 Accord Hybrid at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course on Sunday, July 2. The group gained national exposure this spring, finishing fourth in the most recent season of “The Voice,” NBC’s singing reality competition show.
The band - consisting of sisters Madi, Ana and Bella Heichel - will sing the national anthem and announce the most famous words in racing, “Drivers, start your engines” before the 80-lap NTT INDYCAR SERIES race at Mid-Ohio. The race will be broadcast globally with live coverage nationally starting at 1:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
The three sisters grew up near the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course in Richland County. Madi, 21, and Ana, 20, both graduated from Lexington (OH) High School. Youngest sister Bella, 15, was added to the band in 2019 completing the trio. The group started as a social media sensation thanks to a viral cover of Meghan Trainor’s song “All About That Bass” in 2014 and now has 3.2 million followers on the video-sharing app TikTok. The siblings previously appeared on the Nickelodeon program "America's Most Musical Family" in 2019 before competing on “The Voice” in 2023.
“Our childhood home was just minutes from the Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. I can remember hearing the engines of the race cars while playing outside on our swing set,” said Madi Heichel. “So, I’m super excited to actually see the cars race around the track since I loved hearing them from afar!”
“I always wanted to attend the races,” said Bella Heichel. “So, to finally get that opportunity along with singing the national anthem and announcing ‘Start your engines!’ for the racers is a wish come true!”
“I can remember sitting at the entrance of our neighborhood watching the traffic lined up to enter the race course,” said Ana Heichel. “While police officers were directing traffic, my sisters and I would sit on the sidewalk admiring the brightly painted cars and choosing our favorites. Bright blue was always my winner!”
Paul Dentinger, senior vice president of Honda Development & Manufacturing of America, will serve as this year’s honorary starter, waving the green flag to start the NTT INDYCAR SERIES race.
“We are really excited to have Sorellé and Paul Dentinger from Honda serving in these honorary roles this weekend,” said Craig Rust, president of Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course. “It’s always special when we can support our local talent and we’re grateful these sisters will be part of the Honda Indy 200. We also want to thank Paul Dentinger and everyone at American Honda for their continued support. Honda has now been a Mid-Ohio partner for 30 years!”
The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2023 Accord Hybrid weekend will feature nine total races from five series. In addition to the headlining NTT INDYCAR SERIES, fans will see action from Indy NXT by Firestone, the top two USF Championship Presented by Cooper Tires open-wheel development series and the Porsche Sprint Challenge North America by Yokohama.
On Saturday, July 1, Fourth of July celebrations begin at Mid-Ohio starting with the annual Camping with Honda event. Campers are encouraged to decorate their sites in patriotic red, white and blue, and Honda NTT INDYCAR SERIES drivers will visit these campsites starting around 5:30 p.m. ET to meet fans and check out the festive decor. Then after sunset, fans and campers can enjoy a spectacular fireworks display.
Tickets are sold in advance and available at the gate to The Honda Indy 200 at Mid-Ohio Presented by the 2023 Accord Hybrid. Children 12 and under receive free general admission when accompanied by a ticketed adult. All the ticket options and pricing are posted online at midohio.com. Follow the event on social media with #Honda200.
