NASCAR Announces Talent For Banquets
Edwin McCain To Perform Both Nights
Daytona Beach, FL — NASCAR has announced the entertainment and emcees for the 2011 NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet and NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Gala, held Dec. 9-10 in the NASCAR Hall of Fame’s Crown Ballroom in Charlotte, N.C.
Musical performer Edwin McCain will provide the entertainment for both programs. Originally from Greenville, S.C., the platinum-selling singer/songwriter has produced popular hits like “I’ll Be” and “I Could Not Ask For More.” The Edwin McCain Band is currently touring in support of McCain’s 10th album, Mercy Bound.
“I am thrilled and honored to have the opportunity to perform at the upcoming NASCAR banquets in Charlotte next month,” McCain said. “As a NASCAR fan and someone who loves auto racing in general, I have a tremendous amount of respect for the skill all of the drivers possess and the hard work required off them both on and off the track.”
The NASCAR Whelen All-American Series Awards Banquet will be Friday, Dec. 9. The NASCAR Night of Champions Touring Awards Banquet – celebrating the champions of the NASCAR K&N Pro Series (East and West), the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour, the NASCAR Whelen Southern Modified Tour, the NASCAR Canadian Tire Series and the NASCAR Mexico Series presented by Toyota – will be held the following night, Saturday, Dec. 10.
McCain is slated to perform two different songs each night.
Mike Joy and Dick Berggren, both of NASCAR on FOX and NASCAR on SPEED, will once again return to serve as co-hosts for both banquets. The duo will also serve as hosts of the NASCAR Whelen All-American Series and NASCAR Touring Series Grand Champions Awards programs, held on the mornings of Dec. 9 and Dec. 10, respectively.
“We are very excited to have a musician as talented as Edwin McCain on hand to perform for our attendees and fans around the world watching the banquets online,” said George Silbermann, NASCAR vice president of regional & touring series. “We are always honored to have Mike Joy and Dick Berggren, great ambassadors of short-track racing, to host our awards programs.”
Bernadette Sanicola, pit road reporter for the NASCAR K&N Pro Series West race broadcasts on SPEED, will enhance the coverage of the events with special on-camera interviews of award winners off-stage each night.
Both banquets will feature live streaming video on www.nascarhometracks.com, with a one-hour pre-show for each. The banquets will be available online in both English and Spanish, with the NASCAR Touring Series Awards Gala also in French.
Sources: Jason Cunningham/NASCAR PR