SONOMA, Calif. (June 12, 2013) – Santa Cruz native and American Idol star James Durbin will perform the national anthem for the 25th Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, June 23.

Durbin, who finished fourth on season 10 of American Idol, released his Wind-up Records debut album, Memories of a Beautiful Disaster, in November 2011.  It debuted at #36 on the Billboard 200 chart and at #8 on the Billboard Rock Chart.

Durbin has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, The Today Show, The Ellen DeGeneres Show, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon and Conan.  He is currently in the studio working on his second album. 

“I’m very amped to sing our national anthem at the raceway and to watch the races,” said Durbin. “It’ll be like nothing I’ve ever experienced. Let’s  rock!”

American blues singer/songwriter Gina Sicilia will perform the national anthem prior to the Carneros 200 NASCAR Pro Series West main event on Saturday, June 22. Considered a rising star in the blues world, Sicilia’s debut album, Allow Me to Confess, brought her world-wide acclaim in 2007.  Her fourth studio album, It Wasn’t Real, debuted earlier this year.

Exposed to music early on by her parents, Sicilia showed a passion for music at a young age. By age 12 she began writing her own songs, and by 16 she had written numerous songs that would later be recorded on her debut album.

For more information or to purchase tickets for the 25th Toyota/Save Mart 350, call 800-870-RACE (7223) or visit www.racesonoma.com/nascar.