If you woke up this morning, grabbed your coffee, and started hunting for the livestream of the national anthem at NASCAR today, I have some news that might be a little bit of a letdown.
There isn’t a race today.
Today is Thursday, January 15, 2026. If you’ve been following the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule closely, you know we are currently in that weird, itchy "pre-season" phase. The engines are being tuned in North Carolina shops, the haulers are being polished, but the grandstands are empty.
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When do the ceremonies actually start?
NASCAR fans are some of the most patriotic folks on the planet. For many, the pre-race ceremonies—the invocation, the flyover, and specifically the national anthem at NASCAR—are just as vital as the green flag itself. It’s a ritual.
But for today, the tracks are silent.
We are exactly 17 days away from the first competitive engines firing up. The 2026 season officially kicks off with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, February 1. That’s when you’ll get your first real anthem of the year.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Anthem Schedule
Since you're clearly eager for race day vibes, let's talk about what’s coming down the pipe. The early 2026 schedule is packed, and the anthem performers for the big shows are already starting to leak out.
- February 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray. This is a short-track bullring. Expect a high-energy, likely local North Carolina performer to set the tone for this historic venue's debut in the Cup Series.
- February 12: The Bluegreen Vacations Duels. These are the qualifying races for Daytona. They usually feature smaller, rising stars from the country music scene.
- February 15: The Daytona 500. This is the big one. While we’re still waiting on the official "Star-Spangled Banner" singer for 2026, it’s worth noting that Miranda Lambert has already been confirmed for the pre-race concert. Historically, Daytona pulls out the massive names—think Carrie Underwood or Zac Brown Band territory.
Why we care so much about the anthem at the track
Honestly, it’s about the atmosphere. There is a specific kind of silence that hits a race track during the anthem. You have 100,000 people standing perfectly still, 40 stock cars idling on the grid, and that low rumble of a flyover approaching from the horizon.
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It’s basically the calm before the total chaos of 500 miles.
Last season, we saw some incredible renditions. Remember Lauren Daigle’s performance? It was soulful, stripped back, and actually felt human. That's what people are looking for when they search for the national anthem at NASCAR today—they want that feeling of community.
What’s happening at the shops today?
Even though there’s no anthem or racing today, the sport isn't "off." January 15 is actually a huge day for team previews.
Richard Childress Racing (RCR) is the focus of the industry today. They are doing their 2026 season deep-dives, showing off new paint schemes and talking about driver lineups. While you won't hear the Star-Spangled Banner, you’ll hear a lot of talk about horsepower and "The Next Gen" car's third-year evolution.
If you’re desperate for a NASCAR fix right now:
- Check out the 2026 Season Previews: NASCAR.com is dropping team-by-team breakdowns every day this week.
- Rewatch the 2025 Championship Anthem: Darren Criss did an absolute heater of a performance at Phoenix last year. It's worth a rewatch on YouTube if you need that patriotic spark.
- Set your DVR: The Clash is only a few weeks away.
Basically, hang tight. The wait is almost over. We’re in the home stretch of the off-season, and by the time February rolls around, you’ll have more national anthems and V8 engine roars than you’ll know what to do with.
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Actionable Next Steps:
Mark your calendar for Sunday, February 1, 2026, at 8:00 PM ET. That is the first time you will see a live national anthem at NASCAR for the 2026 season during the Clash at Bowman Gray on FOX. In the meantime, keep an eye on official social channels for the announcement of the Daytona 500 anthem singer, which usually drops in late January.