Ahead of NASCAR’s Ally 400 at the Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday (June 26), Dolly Parton shared a video with an inspirational message to welcome race fans to Music City.
In the clip, the iconic country superstar is seen sitting in a room, surrounded by some of her wardrobe, encouraging fans to follow their dreams. Parton’s video message was intertwined with footage from different NASCAR events.
“I have a saying that my desire has always been greater than my fear,” Parton began, before recalling her first performance. “I remember the feeling of the very first time I performed in front of an audience, it was almost like electricity kind of shot through me. It was always my dream to be on stage and perform. One of the things that kept driving me is ‘you got to get to Nashville,’ because any stage in Nashville is a magical feeling because you know you’re standing on the stage where some of the greatest legends ever have stood.”
Serving as the perfect example that dreams do come true, Parton went on to explain that in order to pursue your dreams, “You have to have a lot of faith in who you are, you have to have a lot of confidence in what you believe your gift is, and if you really are capable of thinking you can reach that dream, then you’ve got to work it, you’ve to stay with it, you’ve got to be willing to sacrifice for it.”
“You really have to put those wings, and legs, and hands and fingers on your dream,” she continued. “Meaning you got to get out there and do it. You got to make it happen, it ain’t just going to happen.”
The “9 to 5” singer and East Tennessee native went on to welcome race fans into Music City.
“Everybody wants to their best at what they think their gift is, and if you really have that burning desire, you feel like it’s your duty, it’s your job, to get out there and have it heard, have it seen,” Parton added. ”I really think that’s what drives most people with a great talent, we burn with that desire to let people know we’ve got something that is magical. Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Nashville!”
'@DollyParton leads us into Sunday's @NASCAR Cup Series race at @NashvilleSuperS.
Tune in at 5P ET on @NBC and @PeacockTV. pic.twitter.com/qZ2rGeNHoP
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) June 25, 2022
Jeff Behnke, the NBC Sports Vice President, praised Parton for virtually partaking in the race festivities.
“Dolly was gracious enough to spend time with our production team appearing on-camera and voicing this special opening tease for Sunday’s race,” Behnke said. ”Who better to welcome NASCAR fans from across the country than Tennessee native and country music superstar Dolly Parton.”
Parton’s song “Run,” from her new album Run, Rose, Run, was also featured during NBC Sports on-air coverage of the race.
Dubbed “NASHCAR,” the Ally 400 took place at the Nashville Superspeedway on Sunday, June 26. The event brought out a plethora of country music artists, including, Kane Brown, who served as the Grand Marshall, as well as Brothers Osborne, who headlined the pre-race concert, and Reyna Roberts, who sang the National Anthem.
Morgan Wallen, Tyler Braden, Chase Rice, Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox, Julia Cole, Peytan Porter, Shelby Darrall, Charles Esten, Halle Kearns, Mason Ramsey, and more were also in attendance.
Keith Urban also partook in the festivities virtually.
Chase Elliott of Hendrick Motorsports took the checkered flag in the NASCAR Cup Series Ally 400.
