DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Three-time GRAMMY Award-winning country music superstar Miranda Lambert will perform the pre-race concert ahead of the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500, Daytona International Speedway announced.

The most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history will kick off the festivities for NASCAR’s marquee event, adding star power to the season-opening race known as The Great American Race.

Pre-Race Spotlight

“To have this level of talent with an artist such as Miranda Lambert performing our pre-race concert adds an incredible amount of energy for the 68th running of the DAYTONA 500,” said Daytona International Speedway President Frank Kelleher. “Her powerhouse vocals and passion for music are the perfect mix to represent the prestige of this event.”

Lambert’s performance will set the tone before the green flag waves and engines roar to open the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season.

A Storied Country Music Career

Lambert has spent more than two decades as a dominant force in country music since releasing her debut album Kerosene in 2005. She has earned seven No. 1 solo albums, 10 No. 1 radio singles, more than 80 major awards, and multiple RIAA certifications.

Her collaborations span genres and include work with artists such as Chris Stapleton, Reba McEntire, Lainey Wilson, Leon Bridges, Sheryl Crow, and Loretta Lynn. Her latest album, Postcards from Texas, is a current GRAMMY nominee and marks her 10th consecutive Top 10 on the Top Country Albums chart.

Race Week at Daytona

DAYTONA 500 week begins Wednesday, Feb. 11, with qualifying presented by Busch Light, followed by the Duel at DAYTONA on Thursday, Feb. 12. Racing continues Friday through Saturday with events across the NASCAR national series and the ARCA Menards Series.

The festivities culminate Sunday, Feb. 15, when the USAF Thunderbirds perform a flyover ahead of the DAYTONA 500, launching the NASCAR Cup Series season at Daytona International Speedway.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (Florida National News) – The Jacksonville Jaguars (13-5) lost to the Buffalo Bills (13-5) 27-24 at EverBank Stadium today in the AFC Wild Card Round of the NFL Playoffs. The Jaguars finished with nine more victories than last season, but fans are still disappointed that the miracle season has come to an end.

On Jacksonville’s second drive of the game, QB Trevor Lawrence threw a pass intended for WR Parker Washington that was intercepted by Bills LB Shaq Thompson. A couple of plays later, Bills QB Josh Allen was tacked by Jaguars DE Josh Hines-Allen, and Allen went to the Bills’ blue tent to be evaluated for a concussion, but was cleared to return. On the fourth down, K Matt Prater kicked a 50 yard field goal to put the Bills on the board 3-0, which was the score at the end of the first quarter.

Early in the second quarter, Trevor Lawrence completed a 3 yard touchdown pass to WR Brian Thomas Jr. and K Cam Little added the extra point, putting the Jaguars ahead 7-3. On the kickoff, the Jaguars benefited from a fumble by Bills RB Ray Davis that LB Devin Lloyd recovered. The Jaguars were on Buffalo’s 9 yard line when Trevor Lawrence tried to dive for a first down on 4th and 2, but came up a little short on the officials’ review. The Bills took possession and ended up scoring on Josh Allen’s two yard touchdown run, followed by Prater’s XP. The Jaguars managed to get into field goal position just before the half, but Cam Little missed a 54 yard field goal that hit the left upright, ending his streak of 20 consecutive field goals made, including a 67 yarder just last week which set the NFL outdoor record. The Bills were up 10-7 at halftime.

Matt Prater kicked a 47 yard field goal on the Bills’ first drive of the third quarter, extending their lead to 13-7. Cam Little redeemed himself with a 43 yard field goal on the Jaguars’ next drive, to narrow the Jags’ deficit to 13-10, which remained the score at the end of the third quarter.

Early in the fourth, Trevor Lawrence found Parker Washington in the end zone for a 6 yard touchdown pass, and after Cam Little’s XP, the Jags were ahead 17-13. But Josh Allen’s 15 yard touchdown pass to TE Dalton Kincaid, followed by Matt Prater’s XP, put the Bills up 20-17. The Jags responded with a 14 yard Lawrence touchdown pass to RB Travis Etienne Jr., and a Little XP, to put the Jaguars ahead 24-20. Josh Allen ran into the end zone for another Bills touchdown, followed by Prater’s XP with just over a minute left in the game, putting the Bills up 27-24. Trevor Lawrence threw a pass that was intercepted by Bills S Cole Bishop, effectively ending the season for the Jaguars.

Trevor Lawrence finished with 207 passing yards and 3 TDs. Travis Etienne Jr. led the Jaguars’ rushing with 67 yards. Parker Washington was the leading receiver with 107 yards and 1 TD. Today’s attendance was 70,250.

Today marked the Jaguars’ 17th playoff game in history. With today’s loss, they are now 5-3 in the Wild Card round, and 4-2 at home in the playoffs. Jacksonville beat the Bills in the 1996 AFC Wild Card round to win their first playoff game in franchise history.

The AFC Divisional Playoff schedule will be announced after the completion of this weekend’s playoff games. Be sure to follow www.FloridaNationalNews.com for more.

TAMPA, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — The Tampa Bay Buccaneers announced changes to their coaching staff Monday, parting ways with five assistant coaches following a disappointing end to the season.

The team confirmed it has separated from Offensive Coordinator Josh Grizzard, Special Teams Coordinator Thomas McGaughey, Quarterbacks Coach Thaddeus Lewis, Cornerbacks Coach Kevin Ross and Defensive Line Coach Charlie Strong.

Staff Changes Reflect Championship Expectations
Buccaneers head coach Todd Bowles said the decisions were necessary to maintain the organization’s standards and long-term goals.

“These decisions are always difficult, but the disappointing end to the season required some changes to our coaching staff in order to ensure we live up to the high standards we have set here,” Bowles said. “Our goal is to compete for championships every year, and it is my responsibility to make these tough decisions.”

Bowles thanked the departing coaches for their contributions and wished them well, noting that effort was not the issue despite the lack of results this season.

Two Veteran Coaches Announce Retirements
In addition to the departures, Senior Offensive Assistant Tom Moore and Safeties Coach Nick Rapone announced their retirements.

Moore concludes a remarkable 62-year coaching career, including 48 seasons in the NFL and the past seven with the Buccaneers. He was part of four Super Bowl championship teams with the Pittsburgh Steelers (1978, 1979), Indianapolis Colts (2006), and Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2020).

Bowles Praises Moore’s Lasting Legacy
Moore was honored in 2023 with the Pro Football Hall of Fame Awards of Excellence for his significant contributions to the game.

“Tom Moore is a legend in the coaching profession, and it has been an honor and a privilege to have him on our staff,” Bowles said. “His knowledge and understanding of the game is unmatched, and he served as an invaluable resource for our entire coaching staff. It will be the personal interactions I had with him every day that I will miss the most.”

The Buccaneers are expected to begin the process of filling the vacant coaching positions in the coming weeks as preparations begin for the upcoming season.