Why Are There Flyovers at NASCAR Races?

The power and majesty of the military aircraft flyover has been part of the National Association Of Stock Car Racing (NASCAR) since the mid-1950s.

  1. Military Roots

    • NASCAR founder Bill France served in World War II and began promoting America in racing events that he organized in Florida after the war. The events included the singing of the National Anthem and a military color guard.

    NASCAR Born

    • Because of France's success, other track owners wanted to get involved with his promotional concepts, and NASCAR was born in 1948. As a part of France's all-American business model, a U.S. military presence became part of NASCAR pre-race events.

    First Flyover

    • According to NASCAR, no definitive date exists for the first military flyover. However, according to Daytona International Speedway Historian Ed Roach, the Navy's Blue Angels flight demonstration team flew over the old "beach course" as part of the pre-race events in 1955.

    Visual Impact

    • A 1997 TV contract between NASCAR and commercial broadcasters to create end-to-end coverage of stock car events, help embed the visually powerful flyover as a part of America's sporting culture.

    Today

    • The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds have also preformed flyovers at NASCAR races, along with units from the Army and Marines.