Prior to the start of each Daytona 500, a renowned singer performs the "Star Spangled Banner". Just like with other sporting events, this performance is done just before the NASCAR race begins.

At the 2010 Daytona 500, actor and singer Harry Connick Jr. performed the national anthem. Connick has released 24 albums, selling over 25 million copies worldwide. He has also appeared in a selection of films including Copycat, Independence Day, Hope Floats and New In Town.http://www.daytonainternationalspeedway.com/Articles/2010/02/Harry-Connick-Jr-To-Sing-National-Anthem-For-Daytona-500.aspx

Gavin DeGraw sang the national anthem at the Daytona 500 on February 15, 2009, replacing Julianne Hough, who was scheduled to sing but had to withdraw at the last minute due to an illness. DeGraw was in town for the race and sang at the Daytona 500 Grand Marshal's Dinner.

DeGraw received mixed reviews of his performance, with some criticizing his choice of clothing, a brown sweater, black scarf and sunglasses clipped to his sweater.http://www.head-scratchers.com/2009/02/make-it-stop.html http://www.chargerforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=100995 In addition to appearances on television shows like One Tree Hill and Dead Like Me, DeGraw released his first album, Chariot, in 2003. A second album, Free, was released on March 31, 2009.