Before 200 miles per hour defined the afternoon at the 2026 Daytona 500, there was a different kind of power on pit road.
Thousands stood still. Caps came off. Hands covered hearts. Engines sat silent.
So who led that moment before the 68th running of "The Great American Race"?
Platinum-selling singer and former Fifth Harmony member Dinah Jane performed "America the Beautiful," delivering a poised and heartfelt rendition that momentarily transformed Daytona International Speedway from a racetrack into something closer to a cathedral of tradition. Known for her powerhouse vocals, Jane brought both star presence and sincerity to the pre-race ceremony.
"I'm so excited for this opportunity and can't wait to experience the energy firsthand," she shared before the performance. And when she stepped onto pit road, that energy shifted - from anticipation to reflection.
Following her performance, U.S. Air Force Technical Sergeant Benton Felty sang the National Anthem. Felty, a vocalist with the Air Force's premier band Max Impact, projected across the grandstands as drivers waited inside their cars, visors up, listening. In a sport defined by risk and precision, those few minutes of stillness carried weight.
Then came the sky.
As the final note echoed, the USAF Thunderbirds streaked overhead in a precision flyover - the roar of jet engines signaling the transition from ceremony to competition. It was a reminder that while NASCAR is built on speed, it is also steeped in tradition.
The pre-race lineup also featured Miranda Lambert headlining the concert, comedian Nate Bargatze serving as Grand Marshal, and actor Kurt Russell as honorary pace car driver. Due to potential weather concerns, the race start was moved up to 1:30 p.m. ET - but the patriotic ceremony remained the emotional anchor of the day.
For a few minutes, rivalries didn't matter. Drafting strategy didn't matter. The championship didn't matter.
Music, unity, and shared identity took center stage.
And perhaps that's why the Daytona 500 always feels larger than a race. Before the engines roar and the tires grip the asphalt, there is a collective pause - a reminder that even in a sport built on speed, it begins with reverence.
Only after that did the green flag wave.
