Josh Kaufman to Sing at Indy 500

An Indianapolis native and winner of NBC’s "The Voice" will sing "Back Home Again in Indiana" at the 100th running of the Indianapolis 500. Josh Kaufman will be joined by the Indianapolis Children’s Choir during the performance.

Kaufman is preparing to release a new album this spring while the ICC is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The children’s choir is no stranger to a big stage; The ICC performed the national anthem with Kelly Clarkson at Super Bowl XLVI in Indianapolis in 2012.

"I strive to make deep emotional connections with my music and on Memorial Day Weekend at the Indy 500, nothing goes deeper with fans than ‘Back Home Again in Indiana,’" said Kaufman. "I can’t wait to be a part of history on such a special day."

Kaufman also served as grand marshal of the 2014 IPL 500 Festival Parade.

Indianapolis Motor Speedway Historian Donald Davidson says the song may have been heard at the race as early as 1919, when it was played by a trackside brass band. It was first sung in 1946 and made popular by Jim Nabors, who performed it live 35 times between 1972 and 2014.