NASCAR picked Thomas Rhett to headline the pre-race concert for the 2027 Daytona 500. The speedway made the announcement on Sunday, Nov. 8, confirming the country star will perform before the green flag drops.
Rhett arrives with a massive resume that includes 22 billion career streams. His track record includes hits like “Die a Happy Man,” “Marry Me,” and “What’s Your Country Song.” The timing of this deal is sharp, as he released his latest single, “Be There In A Minute,” on Nov. 6. That release came just two days before the official speedway news broke.
The concert fits into a packed schedule for the 2027 season opener. On Saturday, Feb. 13, the Clash at Daytona marks the start of the festivities. Qualifying races follow on Wednesday, Feb. 17, and Thursday, Feb. 18. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series starts on Friday, Feb. 19, followed by a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 20. Rhett takes the stage right before the main event on Sunday, Feb. 21.
Why the Energy Matters
Frank Kelleher, president of Daytona International Speedway, sees a clear match between the artist and the event. He told Yahoo Sports that “There’s an energy at Daytona on DAYTONA 500 Sunday that’s difficult to describe until you’ve experienced it.” Kelleher noted that the anticipation builds all day, and nothing compares to the moment the engines fire up.
Rhett brings a specific type of momentum that Kelleher wants for the race weekend. The speedway president stated that Rhett has “tremendous energy to the stage.” This adds a major draw for fans making the trip to Daytona Beach. The concert turns the race weekend into a full festival experience rather than just a single afternoon of racing.
The 2027 season starts with high stakes and a full slate of events. The Duel at Daytona qualifying races are set for Thursday, Feb. 18. The Truck Series opens its season the next day on Friday, Feb. 19. Both the ARCA Menards Series and the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series will hold races on Saturday, Feb. 20. Rhett’s performance will cap off the build-up before the drivers head out for the 500 miles on Feb. 21.
This announcement follows a busy summer for the musician. He spent much of the season touring with his Soundtrack to Life Tour. The tour hit more than 20 cities across the country. His latest album, “About a Woman,” features work with Blake Shelton and Teddy Swims. The addition of Rhett to the 2027 lineup ensures a star-studded start to the new season.
