Story By: ALICIA BUSA / WEATHERTECH RACEWAY LAGUNA SECA – MONTEREY, CA – The highly anticipated country concert featuring Abby Leigh Anderson and George Birge was a tremendous success with INDYCAR fans at the Firestone Grand Prix of Monterey on Saturday night.
For the first time during an NTT INDYCAR Series event, WeatherTech Raceway Laguna Seca hosted a concert at the podium stage, drawing enthusiastic fans from the day’s Race Qualifying and the over 400 campers throughout the Laguna Seca Recreation Area for an evening of music and dancing.
Abby Leigh Anderson, known from the nationally syndicated Bobby Bones Show on iHeart Radio, headlined the concert following a serendipitous connection with Laguna Seca via Instagram. Abby visited the track on Friday, experiencing the exhilarating world of motorsport up close, including a tour of the paddock and a thrilling ride through the Corkscrew in a pace car. She also had a delightful encounter with Firestone Mascot Firehawk, who loves to entertain and interact with fans.
Saturday evening, Abby ignited the crowd with beloved covers like “Boys of Summer” and “Strawberry Wine,” alongside her original hits such as “Hey There Hometown” and an exclusive debut song. Her warm energy and radiant smile captivated the audience, who responded with equal enthusiasm. “The energy is unlike anything I have ever seen,” Abby said after the show. “I am now a race fan.”
Following Abby’s dynamic performance, country star George Birge took the stage, delivering his chart-topping songs with a high-energy opening that had fans dancing immediately. Despite the warm temperatures, reaching 80 degrees, and the lingering glow of the sunset, the atmosphere was vibrant and joyful. George, an Austin native known for his southern hospitality, praised the Monterey fans, saying, “This was amazing, and y’all were so friendly!”
The concert was a perfect finale to a packed day on the track, which featured a second practice and qualifying round for INDYCAR, as well as qualifying and races for the NXT drivers, Porsche Sprint Challenge, and Radical Cup. The picturesque day, with the warmer-than-expected temperatures, highlighted the beauty and challenge of the track. “This track is definitely the most challenging course on our schedule now,” said 2023 INDYCAR Champion Alex Palou, after winning Pole Position. “But every turn is so beautiful, it’s so good to be here.”
The excitement continues on Sunday with the INDYCAR Race, where even larger crowds are anticipated. Fans eager to keep dancing can join the Army Rock Band at the California Seltzer Company tent in the Hagerty Marketplace. Tickets are still available online or at the gate. For more details, visit WeatherTechRaceway.com or call 831-242-8200.