Talladega Superspeedway announced today the Honorary Officials for the GEICO 500 on Sunday, May 3, the 10th NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race of the 2015 schedule.
Senior Airman James A. Sottile, a Biomedical Equipment Technician, from Maxwell Air Force Base in Montgomery, AL, will serve as the Grand Marshal by giving the most famous command in motorsports – “Drivers, Start Your Engines.” Waving the green flag and serving as the Honorary Starter will be Technical Sergeant Jason D. Floyd, also of Maxwell Air Force Base, while the 313th United States Army Band will perform the National Anthem.
Sottile was assigned to the Medical Maintenance Shop, 42nd Medical Support Squadron, 42nd Medical Group at Maxwell AFB in February 2014. While at Maxwell AFB, he blazed through two sets of Career Development Courses and completed over 210 core tasks four months ahead of schedule. He achieved a phenomenal 94% on his first end of course exam and a near perfect 98% on his second exam. After just seven months on station he was selected as the 2014 42nd Air Base Wing’s Airman of the third Quarter, and three months later he was selected for promotion to Senior Airman Below-the-Zone. In addition to being named one of Air Education and Training Command’s 12 Outstanding Airman of the Year, his other awards and decorations include: National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Small Arms Marksman Medal, Air Force Training Honor Graduate Ribbon and the Air Force Training Ribbon.
Floyd is the Non Commissioned Officer in Charge of the Cadet Management Section for 145 Detachments at Headquarters Air Force Reserve Officer Training Corps (Maxwell Air Force Base). Floyd prepares cadets for entry into the United States Air Force and contributes to the commissioning of approximately 2,400 Second Lieutenants annually. Currently, Technical Sergeant Floyd is assigned to HQ AFROTC as the NCOIC of the Cadet Management Section where he provides guidance on five AFROTC programs (145 AFROTC detachments), 4 AFROTC region commanders and HQ personnel. His awards and decorations include: Joint Service Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster; Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters; Joint Service Achievement Medal; and Air Force Achievement Medal.
The 313th United States Army Band, formed in 1943, is comprised of 40 citizen-soldiers. They train and perform as Army musicians during monthly Battle Assembly weekends. Its mission is to provide music throughout the spectrum of military operations, to instill in our forces the will to fight and win, to foster support of our citizens, and to promote our national interests at home and abroad.
As previously announced, Ole Miss Head Football Coach Hugh Freeze will serve as the race’s Honorary Pace Car Driver, and lead the field during warm-up laps prior to the start of the GEICO 500.
The invocation will be given by Allen Singley, volunteer for Alabama Raceway Ministries and Student Pastor at Grandview Baptist Church in Dothan, AL.
TSS PR
