Acclaimed rock band Night Ranger to perform national anthem at Kobalt 400
The ultimate rock show, Raiding the Rock Vault, will also provide pre-race entertainment
LAS VEGAS – Multiple platinum-selling rock band Night Ranger will perform the national anthem at Las Vegas Motor Speedway prior to the Kobalt 400 on Sunday, March 12.
Best known for the hit songs “Sister Christian,” “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me,” “When You Close Your Eyes” and “Sentimental Street,” Night Ranger has sold more than 17 million albums and performed more than 3,000 live shows since its debut in 1982. The acclaimed band had a pair of albums go platinum – 1983’s Midnight Madness and 1985’s 7 Wishes – and its 1987 album Big Life and 1989 Greatest Hits album earned gold status.
The San Francisco-originated band hit No. 5 in the United States’ singles charts with “Sister Christian” in 1984, and “Sentimental Street” peaked at No. 8. Since 2014, the band has consisted of members Jack Blades, Kelly Keagy, Brad Gillis, Eric Levy and Keri Kelli.
Night Ranger has had 10 No. 1 videos on MTV, and the band’s music has been featured in TV shows like “Glee,” “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Parks & Recreation,” as well as movies like “Boogie Nights,” “Friday the 13th” and “Sixteen Candles.”
Night Ranger will perform at the 14th annual RaceJam 2017 at the Fremont Street Experience’s 3rd Street Stage in downtown Las Vegas on Saturday, March 11, with special guest Survivor before singing the anthem at LVMS. RaceJam is free and open to the public.
Following its opening night at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on Saturday, March 11, Raiding the Rock Vault will also take the Speedway stage for pre-race entertainment on Sunday, March 12. Raiding the Rock Vault is the ultimate rock concert experience featuring some of rock’s most experienced and celebrated stars, including Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Howard Leese of Heart. Raiding the Rock Vault will perform inside Vinyl at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Saturday to Wednesday at 8:30 p.m. beginning on Saturday, March 11.
Raiding the Rock Vault was voted as the readers’ choice for “Best Musical” in 2014 and 2015 and “Best Tribute Show” in 2016 in the Las Vegas Review-Journal’s Best of Las Vegas Awards and has consistently been ranked as the No. 1 performance in Las Vegas on TripAdvisor. The show tells the story of classic rock from the 1960s to the 1980s and is performed by members of some of the greatest rock bands in history including Phil Soussan, bass (Ozzy Osbourne, Billy Idol), Doug Aldrich, guitar (Whitesnake, Dio), Paul Shortino, lead vocals (Rough Cutt, Quiet Riot), Hugh McDonald, bass (Bon Jovi) and Tracii Guns, guitar (Guns N’ Roses, L.A. Guns).
Kobalt 400 pre-race festivities will also include a United States Air Force flyover featuring a pair of F-15s and two F-22 Raptors, as well as driver introductions and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series drivers’ meeting in the Neon Garage at 10:30 a.m. Pacific Time. The Neon Garage in the superspeedway’s infield opens at 7 a.m.
In addition, U.S. Sen. Dean Heller (R-Nev.) will drive the pace car for the Kobalt 400. Heller, the former Nevada Secretary of State, sponsors and supports LVMS’ Senator’s Cup Fall Classic at The Bullring, which is scheduled for Oct. 20-21.
LVMS’ 2017 NASCAR Weekend begins with the Stratosphere Pole Day on Friday, March 10, with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying beginning at 4:45 p.m. Pacific Time. The Xfinity Series’ Boyd Gaming 300 takes place at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 11, and the weekend’s racing culminates on Sunday, March 12, with the Kobalt 400 at 12:30 p.m.
For tickets to all LVMS events, call 1-800-644-4444 or log on to LVMS.com.
