Daytona 500 Kicks Off 2026 NASCAR Cup Series with Debut of Bert Kreischer's Full Throttle Festival Featuring Lynyrd Skynyrd, Diplo; Galentine's Day is Celebrated

Stockard Channing, Peter Gabriel, Mena Suvari, and more celebrate birthdays

From the LifeMinute.tv Team

February 13, 2026

The 68th Daytona 500 kicks off the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series this Sunday — and race weekend gets an electrifying start with Bert Kreischer's first-ever Full Throttle Festival presented by Mando pre-party on Saturday
The 2026 Daytona 500 roars to life with the green flag set to wave shortly after 2:30 PM ET, live on FOX. Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe will lead the field from the front row after locking in their spots during qualifying, setting the stage for another unforgettable chapter at Daytona. Before engines fire on Sunday, Bert Kreischer kicks off the inaugural Full Throttle Festival presented by Mando— a high-octane celebration he personally curated. The all-night event will feature performances by Lynyrd Skynyrd, Diplo, Bert himself, and more, blending live music, stand-up comedy, cold beer, and BBQ under one massive roof. Fueled by NASCAR and powered by a lineup of national brands, the festival delivers the ultimate race weekend energy and a one-of-a-kind fan experience. Get your tickets now at fullthrottlefestival.com.

Today’s holidays:
Galentine's Day, National Cheddar Day, and National Tortellini Day.

In today’s birthday news:
Actress Stockard Channing 82, musician Peter Gabriel 76, actor David Naughton 75, New Order/Joy Division bassist Peter Hook 70, musician Henry Rollins 65, musician Robbie Williams 52, actress Mena Suvari 47, actress Sophia Lillis 24.