Kelly Clarkson To Sing National Anthem At 102nd Indianapolis 500

INDIANAPOLIS, IN — The original "American Idol" and Grammy-Award winning superstar, Kelly Clarkson will perform the National Anthem before the start of this year's Indianapolis 500. Indianapolis Motor Speedway made the exciting announcement Thursday morning, just over two weeks before the drivers "Start their engines" on Sunday, May 27.

IMS officials say this will be the second time Clarkson has performed our anthem before the Indianapolis 500, as she also sang it back in 2011 with Seal, while accompanied by David Foster's piano talents.

“We’re thrilled to welcome Kelly back to IMS on Race Day to sing the national anthem for hundreds of thousands of fans in the stands and millions of viewers around the world,” IMS President J. Douglas Boles said, in a release. “She is an incredible live performer with a wonderful and instantly recognizable voice. We look forward to her rendition of the national anthem during one of the most poignant moments of this iconic global sporting spectacle.”

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Clarkson is a coach on the 14th season of the hit NBC TV singing competition, "The Voice," has released eight studio albums, her most recent in Oct. 2017, in addition to having more than 100 No. 1 singles on all Billboard charts, three Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, two Academy of Country Music Awards and many more.

In addition to Clarkson's vocal talent, IMS recently announced that Jim Cornelison will return to sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" before the race.

She also is a coach on the 14th season of the hit TV singing competition, “The Voice,” which premiered in February.

Visit IMS.com to for more information and to purchase tickets for the 102nd Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 27.

(Photo by John Sciulli/Getty Images)