From a Carolina Crown press release: Several members of Carolina Crown's 2007 drum line and brass ensemble had the opportunity to kick off the third annual NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge Wednesday night at the Bobcats Arena in Charlotte, N.C. As part of the event, the Crown brass ensemble performed the National Anthem to a packed house. During pit crew introductions, the corps' percussion section entertained the crowd with "intense rudimental beats."
During the NASCAR NEXTEL Pit Crew Challenge, 24 pit crews compete for individual and team honors. This year, the crews' work will play a role in the 23rd annual NASCAR NEXTEL Cup All-Star Challenge at Lowe's Motor Speedway on Saturday, May 19. The teams will pick their locations on "pit row" based on the finishing order of this past Wednesday's challenge. Following up on the successful performance at the Pit Crew Challenge, the Carolina Crown percussion section also will perform this Saturday in official NASCAR attire during driver introductions at Lowe's Motor Speedway for the All-Star Challenge race. "It's a pleasure for world-class performers such as the Carolina Crown members to take part in an event featuring world-class drivers," said Carolina Crown Chief Operating Officer Jim Coates. The 23rd annual NASCAR NEXTEL Cup All-Star Challenge and NASCAR driver introductions will be telecast nationally on the Speed Channel Saturday, May 19, at 8 p.m. ET and replayed on Sunday, May 20, at 1 a.m. Look for updates and continuing coverage soon on CarolinaCrown.org.