Country Music Star Miranda Lambert Performs Live Ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Photos by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (FNN SPORTS) — Miranda Lambert delivered a high-energy pre-race concert Sunday ahead of the 68th running of the Daytona 500, performing for a crowd of more than 100,000 fans at Daytona International Speedway.
The three-time Grammy Award winner took the stage before the green flag, setting the tone for NASCAR’s most prestigious event with a performance that blended country hits and fan favorites.
Country Music Star Miranda Lambert Performs Live Ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Star Power on NASCAR’s Biggest Stage
Speedway President Frank Kelleher said Lambert’s presence elevated the atmosphere surrounding the race.
“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,” Kelleher said.
The pre-race concert has become a signature part of the Daytona 500 experience, drawing major national recording artists each year.
Country Music Star Miranda Lambert Performs Live Ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by Harry Castiblanco / Florida National News
Continuing a Tradition of Big-Name Performers
Lambert joins a lineup of recent headliners who have performed at the annual event, including Pitbull in 2024, Dierks Bentley in 2023 and Florida Georgia Line in 2016.
The performances add entertainment value to a race weekend already known for its pageantry, celebrity appearances and patriotic tributes.
Country Music Star Miranda Lambert Performs Live Ahead of the 2026 Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway. Photo by J Willie David, III / Florida National News
A Crowd of More Than 100,000
With grandstands packed and the infield buzzing, Lambert’s concert energized fans before drivers took to the 2.5-mile superspeedway for “The Great American Race.”
The Daytona 500 remains NASCAR’s premier event, combining elite competition with large-scale entertainment — and Lambert’s performance underscored the spectacle that defines race day in Daytona Beach.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Representative Rita Harris has secured reelection to the Florida House after no opposition qualified to challenge her in District 44 during the state’s candidate qualifying period.
Harris, a Democrat representing House District 44, will return to Tallahassee for another term after neither a Republican, third-party nor write-in candidate entered the race.
Her uncontested reelection reflects continued support within the district and allows her campaign to shift its focus toward supporting Democratic candidates and legislative priorities ahead of the 2027 Legislative Session.
House District 44 includes portions of west Orange County and surrounding communities in Central Florida.
Florida’s General Election is scheduled for Nov. 3, 2026.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — U.S. Rep. Maxwell Alejandro Frost secured an easy path to a third term representing Florida’s 10th Congressional District after no Democratic, Republican or write-in challengers qualified before the close of Florida’s candidate qualifying period Friday.
“I’m proud that the people of Central Florida continue to put their trust in me, and I don’t take that for granted,” Frost said. “Over the last term, we’ve delivered real results, and now it’s time to build on that.”
Campaign Focuses on Down-Ballot Races
Despite facing no major-party opposition, Frost said his campaign is expanding its political operation to help Democrats compete across Central Florida.
“We’re focused on electing Democrats up and down the ballot.”
The campaign has recruited 87 fellows this summer as part of its year-round organizing program for young people ages 16 to 24. Campaign officials said participants will engage in door-to-door canvassing, phone banking and voter outreach efforts while supporting Democratic candidates throughout the region.
According to the campaign, more than 162 fellows have participated in the program, helping contact more than 157,000 voters during the current election cycle.
Historic Member of Congress
Frost made history in 2022 as the first member of Generation Z elected to Congress. He represents Florida’s 10th Congressional District, which includes much of Orlando and surrounding portions of Orange County.
ORLANDO, Fla. (FNN NEWS) — Florida State Representative Bruce Antone has won reelection to the Florida House after qualifying for the 2026 election cycle without opposition.
Antone, who represents portions of Orange County, remains the longest-serving Democratic state lawmaker in Orange County and one of the most senior members of Florida’s Democratic legislative delegation.
Following his reelection, Antone thanked supporters in a statement posted on Facebook.
“Today, I was reelected to the Florida House of Representatives. I didn’t have any opposition. Thank you to everyone who has supported me during my time and tenure in the Florida House of Representatives,” Antone wrote.
Under Florida election law, candidates who qualify for office without opposition are automatically elected and do not appear on the ballot.
Antone will begin another term in the Florida House as lawmakers prepare for the 2027 Legislative Session in Tallahassee.