3X Grammy-winning artist to perform at 2026 NASCAR Daytona 500 pre-party

Daytona International Speedway has announced a new festival for the 2026 NASCAR race weekend. Three-time Grammy-winning DJ Diplo (Thomas Wesley) will perform at the Full Throttle Festival, the pre-party for the 68th running of the Daytona 500. Moreover, Comedian Bert Kreischer will headline the festival as one of its founders, along with live-event producer Medium Rare.

The pre-party will feature live music, comedy, BBQ, and beer the day before the season-opening race (Saturday, February 14) at Ocean Center Convention Center in Daytona Beach.

Lynyrd Skynyrd, the legendary Southern rock band known for the classic "Sweet Home Alabama," and Grammy-nominated country artist ERNEST will also perform.

"[Bert Kreischer]'s [Full Throttle Festival] is a brand-new fest and [Daytona 500] pre-party in Daytona Beach on Saturday night before the race! Featuring live performances by [Lynyrd Skynyrd] , [Diplo], [Ernest] and comedy by [Bert Kreischer]+ friends! Tickets on sale Friday at 10:00AM ET. Register for pre-sale to lock in the lowest prices," the speedway shared on X.

The NASCAR event also promises a selection of pitmasters and barbecue dishes from across Florida and beyond. Fans can pre-register for the Full Throttle Festival and watch for the general on-sale at 10 am ET on Dec. 5.

The Daytona 500 will run on Sunday, February 15, at Daytona International Speedway.

Daytona 500 open entries for 2026 NASCAR Cup Series

The open entries for the 'Great American Race' of a few non-chartered teams are still taking shape. JR Motorsports' No. 40 Chevy, which competed for the first time in a Cup race at the Daytona 500 last year with 2024 NASCAR Xfinity champion Justin Allgaier, will race again in 2026. The No. 40 team finished ninth after qualifying through the Duel races in 2025 and is the only confirmed open entry for 2026.

Some likely part-time efforts that could qualify for the 2026 Daytona 500 field include Live Fast Motorsports (No. 78), Beard Motorsports (No. 62), and NY Racing Team (No. 44). B. J. McLeod, Anthony Alfredo, and J. J. Yeley drove the team's open entry last year.

Jimmie Johnson has also competed in the Daytona 500 for the past few years in his majority-owned Legacy Motor Club's No. 84 team and is expected to return next season as well. Former Cup driver Corey LaJoie also raced in the No. 01 for Rick Ware Racing in 2025 and has shown interest in returning if the right opportunity comes.

Overall, nine open teams competed in the Daytona 500 qualifying in 2025. Five open cars competed last season with 36 chartered cars after Trackhouse Racing's Hélio Castroneves used the new NASCAR Open Exemption Provisional to get in as the 41st car.