professorkamrankhan@gmail.com 
Racing fans were far from impressed with the rendition of the national anthem that took place before Sunday’s Indy500 showpiece.
American singer and songwriter Natalie Grant performed the Star Spangled Banner ahead of the race in Indianapolis, but her effort was quickly branded ‘horrible’ on social media.
‘The national anthem singer is horrible,’ one user said on X.
Another put: ‘This woman singing the National Anthem is HORRIBLE. What a butcher job’.
‘The singing of the National Anthem by Natalie Grant was horrendous. Awful,’ wrote a third.
‘Why do singers always make National Anthems like they’re singles?’ asked a fourth. ‘The woman has an amazing voice, but that is a horrible example of the American National Anthem…’
While one simply commented: ‘STOP putting your own ‘spin’ on the national anthem!’
The start of the Indy500 has been delayed because of rain sprinkles around the track – a weather disruption that could ruin Kyle Larson’s attempt to run ‘the double’ for a second consecutive year.
The NASCAR STAR is trying to complete 1,100 miles of racing in one day – a feat only accomplished once, by Tony Stewart.
His bid at completing it failed last year because a rain delay in Indianapolis made him miss the Coca-Cola 600 in North Carolina.
Larson and Hendrick Motorsports have promised NASCAR that Larson will be at Charlotte Motor Speedway for the start of the Cup Series race. He´s starting second in Charlotte and 19th in the Indy 500.
If the Indy 500 does not start soon, Larson will have to leave Indianapolis Motor Speedway and give up his double effort.
‘We’re going to play it by ear,’ said Arrow McLaren team principal Tony Kanaan, who is the standby driver for Larson in case Larson can’t start the race. Kanaan said Larson has to leave Indianapolis by 4 p.m. to get to Charlotte. Kanaan cannot race if Larson starts.
Meanwhile, a swarm of people poured through the Indianapolis Motor Speedway gates as soon as it opened. Some were shirtless, some wore American flag overalls, others checkered flag mini-skirts.
The grandstands are sold out for the first time since 2016 and IndyCar expects 350,000 people will be on IMS property for Sunday’s race. One tunnel at the speedway had to be closed to motorized vehicles four hours before the race to handle the pedestrian volume.
