The Best National Anthem, Infineon Raceway, June 2003

It's a little-known fact that the greatest performance of the "Star-Spangled Banner" took place at the Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, California before the 2003 Dodge/SaveMart 350. I was on my feet in turn two that day and cheered with the rest of the crowd as guitarist Joe Satriani (the very same from the Giants game clip) unleashed the following performance followed by not one, but TWO fly-bys AND Tom Arnold giving the command to start engines.

Category:

Sports

Tags:

• joe
• satriani
• national
• anthem
• star
• spangled
• banner
• nascar
• winston
• nextel
• cup
• 2003
• infineon
• raceway
• sonoma
• california

[alexkerensky]

Satriani is as humble as he is talented, he is by no means showing off in this video.

[outlawserenade]

do any of you chillen' know that Vai *LEARNS* from Satriani?

I'm not even American, and this gave me goosebumps.

[pogmstillfly]

*face melts from 42-44 seconds* God bless Joe Satriani!!!!!!!

[Mikcarroll]

@sethum999 If you watch a few more, he always plays it fast. Maybe Joe does not like to play this song? I'll ask him next time I see him. I respect how close he sticks to the original score!!

[ImperialKiriyama]

The first jet is an F117 stealth fighter, they probably sent the F-18s too because they didn't see it on radar hahaha.

NASCAR: "Hey where's the fly-by jet?"

Air Force: "I dunno. Quick, send some F-18s to save the show!"

F-117: "Oh, hai guyz! I was here all along!"

F-18s: "..."

[sethum999]

@Mikcarroll probly had to keep it to the FOX schedule. too bad, i wanted more =[

[LoDGeTSoMe]

@outlawserenade yeah but vai shows alot more technical skill in live performances it doesn't matter who taught him they are both amazing players

[Mikcarroll]

I wonder why he seems to rush it. I wonder if someone told him to hurry.

[satrlanl]

The SSB should never be judged like a contest and he has the right to play it in his own way and to wear a hat like the men/women in uniform. I think the whole hat thing is just a personal preference, and remember, he really does take all necessary measures to make the performances heartfelt. If that means keeping the glare out of his eyes then that's what's going to happen. True Satriani style! He is my favorite musician of our time.

[diabeticwoman]

impressive!!!!!!!

[ndsquared]

I've known Joe for 30 years ... I painted this guitar for him. He is the most talented and humble person I know!

[rafomagus]

damn, not enough gain,sounds like a teenager!