MISS AMERICA TO SING NATIONAL ANTHEM AT UNITED STATES GRAND PRIX

INDIANAPOLIS, Friday, June 8, 2007 – Miss America 2007 Lauren Nelson will sing the national anthem before the start of the United States Grand Prix on Sunday, June 17 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Nelson, Miss Oklahoma, was crowned Miss America on Jan. 29 in Las Vegas. She is a native of Lawton, Okla., and is a student at the University of Central Oklahoma.

“I’m excited about the experience,” said Nelson, 20. “Miss America is an American tradition and so is the Grand Prix. I think it’s a perfect match, a perfect relationship, and it’ll be a lot of fun.

Attending the USGP will be Nelson’s first experience at a professional race, and she is intrigued and wants to learn about the sport.

“The race is something a lot of my friends have watched on TV,” Nelson said. “I have not had the opportunity to do that, so I’m excited to be a part of it.

“I think the neatest thing I get to do is sing the national anthem, especially since it will be on an international basis. It’s a huge crowd, and singing is something that I’ve always loved to do, so having the opportunity to sing in front of such a big crowd and to sing our national anthem, it’s nice to have that opportunity.”

Before she watches the race, Nelson will sing before the largest crowd of her performing career. During the talent portion of the Miss America competition, Nelson sang “You’ll Be in My Heart”. After college, she aspires to be a Broadway performer.

But before she hits Broadway, she’ll conquer the international stage first at IMS.

“This is going to be fun,” Nelson said. “I’m really excited about it.”