Miranda Lambert Crushes Ella Langley Cover at Daytona 500

Country superstar overcomes pre-show nerves to deliver rousing performance of rising star's hit song.

Published on Feb. 16, 2026

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Country music icon Miranda Lambert took the stage at the pre-race show for the 2026 Daytona 500 in Daytona Beach, Florida, where she delivered a powerful cover of rising star Ella Langley's hit song "Choosin' Texas." Despite admitting to some pre-show jitters about performing in front of such a massive crowd, Lambert's nerves quickly dissipated once she started singing, and she commanded the stage with her signature charisma.

Why it matters

Lambert's appearance at the Daytona 500 pre-race show underscores the longstanding connection between country music and NASCAR, two beloved American institutions. By covering a song written by the up-and-coming Ella Langley, Lambert also used her platform to spotlight a younger artist following in her footsteps, further cementing her status as a mentor and champion of the next generation of country stars.

The details

Prior to taking the stage, Lambert admitted to feeling some pre-show nerves, telling a reporter that the Daytona 500 crowd might be the largest she's ever performed for. However, once she started singing, any signs of nervousness disappeared, and Lambert delivered a rousing rendition of Langley's hit "Choosin' Texas," a song that Lambert had a hand in writing and producing for Langley's forthcoming sophomore album.

  • Miranda Lambert performed at the pre-race show for the 2026 Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15, 2026.

The players

Miranda Lambert

A nine-time ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and the most-awarded artist in Academy of Country Music history, Miranda Lambert is a country music superstar who rose to fame with her 2005 debut album "Kerosene." She has since become one of the genre's most acclaimed and successful artists.

Ella Langley

A rising country music star, Ella Langley is a 26-year-old Alabama native whose song "Choosin' Texas" recently reached number one on the all-genre Hot 100 chart. Lambert has served as a mentor to Langley, co-writing and producing her forthcoming sophomore album.

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What’s next

Lambert's performance of Langley's hit song at the Daytona 500 is expected to further boost the rising star's profile and introduce her music to a wider audience of NASCAR and country music fans.

The takeaway

Miranda Lambert's appearance at the Daytona 500 pre-race show underscores the enduring connection between country music and NASCAR, while also highlighting her role as a mentor and champion of the next generation of country stars, as evidenced by her support for up-and-comer Ella Langley.