MARTINSVILLE, Virginia – Virginia Tech’s world-renown military marching band, the Highty-Tighties, will perform prior to the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Martinsville Speedway on March 30.

The Highty-Tighties will perform the national anthem in prerace ceremonies. Earlier in the day they will perform their precision marching and music on track.

“It’s going to be a real treat for the fans and for us to get to see the Highty-TIghties perform up close,” said Martinsville Speedway president Clay Campbell. “I’ve seen them on television in national parades and have heard about them for years. It’s a privilege for us to have them here for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500.”

The Goody’s Cool Orange 500 will have a very Virginia Tech flavor to it. The Hokies’ football coach, Frank Beamer, one of the most successful college coaches in the country, will serve as the race’s grand marshal.

The Highty-Tighties grew out of Virginia Tech’s Corp of Cadets on the Blacksburg campus in 1893. Since then their record of excellence has continued to grow and they are a sought-after marching unit for special events and parades around the country.

In addition to performing at home football games, Virginia Tech’s military marching band has shown off their precision and excellence in parades such as the Presidential Inaugural Parade, Mardi Gras, the Cherry Blossom Parade, Savannah's St. Patrick's Day Parade, and Virginia's Gubernatorial Inaugural Parade. Last fall they were highlighted in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day parade in New York City.

“I’m delighted that the prestigious Regimental Band of the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets has been afforded the honor and privilege of appearing before the great Americans attending the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 at Martinsville Speedway,” said Lieutenant Colonel Charles Payne, Commandant of Third Batallion. “I know the fans will be thrilled to have them play.”

The Highty-Tighties are always a favorite of spectators, because they never stop marching. Even when the parade slows or stops, the Highty-Tighties maintain their pace and entertain the crowd with several styles of countermarches.

Tickets for both the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 on Sunday, March 30, and the Kroger 250, on Saturday, March 29, are on sale and can be purchased by calling 1.877.RACE.TIX or online at www.martinsvillespeedway.com. Ticket prices for the Goody’s Cool Orange 500 range from $42 to $77.

Tickets for the Kroger 250 are $37 in advance, $42 on race day. Kroger 250 tickets for children ages 6 to 12 are $5.

The Goody’s Cool Orange 500 weekend kicks off on March 28 with Carilion Pole Day with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series qualifying.

Martinsville Speedway’s ticket office is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. Expanded ticket office hours are now in place, with the office also open on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.

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