Long before the green flag waved at the 2026 Daytona 500 on February 15, the sound echoing across Daytona International Speedway wasn't engines - it was Miranda Lambert.
The three-time Grammy Award winner headlined the 68th annual Daytona 500 pre-race concert at 12:30 p.m. ET, delivering a high-energy set that blended country grit with stadium-sized anticipation. As thousands of fans filled the stands for "The Great American Race," Lambert's performance became the emotional ignition point for the afternoon.
Introduced as the most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history to headline the event, Lambert promised a set that would be "short and sweet." She delivered exactly that - packed with recognizable anthems that felt made for a NASCAR stage. "Fastest Girl in Town" and "Little Red Wagon" electrified the crowd, while "Kerosene" brought a wave of nostalgia that longtime fans welcomed with open arms.
One of the most talked-about moments came when Lambert surprised the audience with a cover of Ella Langley's No. 1 hit "Choosin' Texas." The performance carried added meaning: Lambert co-wrote the chart-topping song, marking her first time contributing to a track that reached the top of the Billboard Hot 100. It was a subtle but powerful reminder that even two decades into her career, she continues to shape the sound of modern country music.
The pre-race celebration also featured a flyover by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds and a rendition of "America the Beautiful" by Dinah Jane. Comedian Nate Bargatze served as Grand Marshal, while actor Kurt Russell took on honorary pace driver duties. Due to potential weather concerns, NASCAR moved the race start up to 1:30 p.m., but the adjustment did nothing to dampen the atmosphere.
For Lambert, the Daytona 500 appearance fits naturally into a career that spans nine solo albums, multiple CMA and ACM awards, and ongoing philanthropic work through her MuttNation Foundation, which supports animal rescue efforts nationwide.
In a sport built on speed, risk, and split-second decisions, the pre-race concert offered something steadier - a shared moment before competition begins. Music has always had a way of uniting strangers, and for a few minutes under the Florida sky, country songs bridged generations of race fans waiting for engines to thunder.
When the cars finally rolled onto the track, the energy was already set.
And before horsepower took over, Miranda Lambert made sure the heart of the day was heard first.
