Indianapolis native Ephraim Owens will perform “America the Beautiful” during pre-race ceremonies for the 110th running of the Indianapolis 500 on May 24, marking his latest appearance at the famed speedway.
Owens, who gained national attention as a contestant on Season 24 of “The Voice,” was announced Tuesday as part of the race-day entertainment lineup at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway. The singer previously performed “America the Beautiful” before the 2025 Indy 500 and sang the national anthem at the 2024 Brickyard 400.
The singer is best known for his blind audition on “The Voice,” where all four celebrity coaches turned their chairs during his performance of Labrinth’s “Beneath Your Beautiful.” Owens ultimately selected John Legend as his coach with encouragement from his daughter, Evelyn Ann. Though he was eliminated in the following round, Owens continued performing publicly after the show and has since become a recurring presence at Indianapolis Motor Speedway events.
“Ephraim’s love for his home state of Indiana is just as evident as his passion and talent for musical performance,” Indianapolis Motor Speedway and INDYCAR President J. Douglas Boles said in a statement released by the speedway. “Ephraim has performed several times at IMS, and his performance of ‘America the Beautiful’ will be an important and moving tribute to our country as we celebrate America’s 250 and the traditions of the Indy 500.”
Owens has continued building a relationship with the Brickyard through multiple appearances over the past two years. Race organizers said his upcoming performance will once again be part of the nationally televised pre-race festivities ahead of the annual Memorial Day weekend event.
Additional entertainment surrounding this year’s Indy 500 festivities includes a performance by German DJ Zedd at the annual Snake Pit concert during race day festivities. Alternative rock bands Counting Crows and Switchfoot are also scheduled to perform during Carb Day events on May 22. Meanwhile, Pascal Siakam and Andrew Nembhard of the Indiana Pacers will serve as grand marshals for the May 23 Lucas Oil 500 Festival Parade.
According to Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Owens grew up on Delaware Street in downtown Indianapolis in a family immersed in the arts. His first public performance took place at his grandmother’s church, and he later participated in musicals and summer theater productions alongside his six siblings at Footlite Musicals. Owens also sang with the Indianapolis Children’s Choir and later joined The Central Sound show choir while attending Lawrence Central High School.
Owens is supported by his wife, Elizabeth, and their three children.
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