Miranda Lambert to Headline Pre-Race Concert at 68th Daytona 500
Country music sensation Miranda Lambert, a three-time Grammy Award winner, is set to headline the pre-race concert at the 68th Daytona 500. The event will kick off with a performance by Lambert at 12:30 p.m., followed by a flyover by the USAF Thunderbirds. Dinah Jane from Fifth Harmony will sing "America the Beautiful," and Miss America 2026 Cassie Donegan will perform the National Anthem. Comedian Nate Bargatze will serve as the Grand Marshal, and Hollywood star Kurt Russell will be the honorary pace driver for the race. Due to potential weather concerns, the Daytona 500 start time has been moved up to 1:30 p.m.
Miranda Lambert, a prominent figure in the country music scene for over two decades, has released nine solo albums and achieved chart-topping success with the group Pistol Annies. In 2018, she was named the 15th Artist-in-residence at the Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum. Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher expressed excitement about Lambert's performance, highlighting her powerhouse vocals and passion for music as a perfect fit for the prestigious event. Lambert follows in the footsteps of Pitbull, Dierks Bentley, and Florida Georgia Line, who have previously headlined pre-race concerts at the Daytona 500. Her performance at the Daytona 500 is part of her ongoing tour that extends into the summer of 2026.
In conclusion, Miranda Lambert's upcoming performance at the 68th Daytona 500 promises to bring an electrifying energy to the event, setting the stage for an exciting race day. Fans can look forward to a memorable pre-race concert featuring Lambert's signature vocals and musical prowess.