Katie Stam

Stam, a 22-year-old native of Seymour, Ind., and student at the University of Indianapolis, was crowned Miss America 2009 on Jan. 24 in Las Vegas, the first time a Miss Indiana has won in the pageant's history.

The singing of "America the Beautiful" will take place only minutes before the start of the Indianapolis 500, continuing the countdown to traditional pre-race favorites such as driver introductions, the national anthem, the military flyover, the playing of "Taps," singing of "(Back Home Again In) Indiana," the release of balloons and the command to start engines.

Stam, who sang during the Miss America talent program, is serving as national goodwill ambassador for Children's Miracle Network. Her platform issue at the 2009 Miss America pageant was promoting community service and involvement.