Quick Read
- Miranda Lambert performs at the 68th Daytona 500 pre-race concert on February 15, 2026.
- The Daytona 500 race has been moved to 1:30 p.m. ET due to weather forecasts.
- Lambert will be inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame on February 21, 2026.
- Other inductees include George Strait, Keith Gattis, and Don Cook.
- Lambert is a three-time Grammy winner and the most awarded artist in ACM Awards history.
DAYTONA BEACH, Florida (Azat TV) – American country music icon Miranda Lambert is commanding significant attention this week, with a high-profile performance at the 68th annual Daytona 500 pre-race concert today, February 15, 2026, and an upcoming induction into the prestigious Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame on February 21. These back-to-back events underscore her dual impact as both a celebrated performer and a prolific songwriter within the country music genre.
Lambert, a three-time Grammy Award winner, is set to headline the highly anticipated pre-race concert at Daytona International Speedway, kicking off festivities for the ‘Great American Race.’ The concert, scheduled for 12:30 p.m. ET, precedes the Daytona 500, which has been moved up an hour to 1:30 p.m. ET due to potential weather concerns, as reported by FOX 35 Orlando. Her performance is a highlight of the pre-race show, which also includes a flyover by the USAF Thunderbirds and an rendition of “America the Beautiful” by Fifth Harmony member Dinah Jane.
Miranda Lambert’s Daytona 500 Performance
As one of the most awarded artists in the history of the Academy of Country Music, Miranda Lambert’s presence at the Daytona 500 is a significant draw for fans of both country music and NASCAR. Her powerhouse vocals and passion for music are expected to set the stage for the 2026 racing season. Lambert joins a lineup of distinguished guests for the event, including comedian Nate Bargatze, serving as Grand Marshal, and Hollywood star Kurt Russell, who will be the honorary pace driver.
The Daytona 500 performance is part of Lambert’s ongoing tour, which is scheduled to continue through the summer of 2026. Previous pre-race concert performers have included artists such as Pitbull, Dierks Bentley, and Florida Georgia Line, placing Lambert among an elite group of entertainers chosen for this prominent national event.
Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame Induction
Just days after her Daytona appearance, Miranda Lambert will be honored for her songwriting prowess, as she is slated for induction into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame on February 21, 2026. The ceremony will take place at the Moody Theater (ACL Live) in downtown Austin, Texas. She will be inducted alongside fellow Texas music legends George Strait, Keith Gattis, and Don Cook, in a class described by Saving Country Music as having significant star power.
While widely recognized as a performer, Lambert has consistently written or co-written many of her most successful songs, including Grammy-nominated hits such as “Bluebird,” “Tin Man,” and “Automatic.” Her songwriting contributions extend beyond her own discography, with credits for artists like Chris Stapleton and Ella Langley, whose track “Choosin’ Texas” is currently a #1 hit. The Texas Heritage Songwriters Association, which has been cementing the legacy of the state’s revered songwriters since 2006, selects inductees based on their profound impact on the genre.
A Legacy of Songwriting and Advocacy
Miranda Lambert, originally from Lindale, Texas, has built a career spanning over two decades, marked by nine solo albums and chart-topping success with her acclaimed trio, The Pistol Annies, formed with fellow songwriters Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley. Beyond her own creative output, Lambert is a vocal champion for other songwriters, frequently collaborating with artists like Jack Ingram and Jon Randall on projects such as ‘The Marfa Tapes’, and often spotlighting emerging talents like John Moreland and Tyler Childers early in their careers.
Her induction into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame highlights not only her individual achievements but also her broader influence in fostering and celebrating the craft of songwriting within country music. This recognition firmly positions her as a pivotal figure in shaping the sound and narrative of contemporary country music, a role that extends beyond her charismatic stage presence.
The confluence of these major events—a high-profile national performance and a prestigious songwriting honor—signals a pivotal moment in Miranda Lambert’s career, reaffirming her status as a multifaceted artist whose impact resonates deeply across both mainstream entertainment and the revered traditions of country music songwriting.