Air Force general named Ky. grand marshal

SPARTA, KY. -- Gen. Lester L. Lyles, Commander, Air Force Materiel Command, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base will be the grand marshal of the NASCAR Busch Series Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo on June 14 at Kentucky Speedway.

"We're honored to be welcoming Gen. Lyles as the grand marshal of the Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo. He is a proven military leader with unparalleled credentials," Kentucky Speedway Executive Vice President and General Manager Mark F. Cassis said. "I know our fans and competitors will enjoy giving him the tribute he deserves as he gives the most famous command in racing, 'Gentleman, start your engines.'"

Gen. Lyles entered the Air Force in 1968 as a distinguished graduate of the Air Force ROTC program. Since, he has served in various high-profile assignments. In 1981, he was assigned to Wright-Patterson AFB as Avionics Division Chief in the F-16 Systems Program Office. In 1992, he became Vice Commander of Ogden Air Logistics Center, Hill AFB, Utah and served as commander of the center from 1993 until 1994.

He became the Director of the Ballistic Missile Defense Organization in 1996 and, in May 1999, he was assigned as Vice Chief of Staff at Headquarters US Air Force. He returned to Wright-Patterson AFB in his current capacity in April 2000.

The Meijer 300 Presented by Oreo is expected to be the largest attended sporting event in greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky for the third straight year. The has drawn crowds that have exceeded the 66,089-seat capacity at Kentucky Speedway in both 2002 and 2001.The green flag is set to drop at 8:00 p.m. and the race will be televised live nationally on the FX Network.

In addition to the heart-pounding action of the NASCAR Busch Series, the day also will include a pre-race concert and National Anthem by country entertainer Mark Wills, a pre-race ceremony celebrating the history of flight, and a post-race fireworks extravaganza.