🚨 BREAKING: NASCAR CEO Jim France Declares “All-American Halftime Show” to Rival Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Performance 🇺🇸

By Sarah Collins | Sports & Culture Chronicle | February 7, 2026

In a move that has sent shockwaves through the worlds of sports and entertainment, NASCAR CEO Jim France announced that the racing organization will host its own “All-American Halftime Show” — airing live the same day as Bad Bunny’s highly anticipated Super Bowl performance.

The event, according to France, will celebrate “American pride, freedom, and music that speaks the language of our heartland.”

A Patriotic Counterprogram to the NFL

The announcement came Thursday morning at NASCAR headquarters in Daytona Beach, where France delivered a statement flanked by American flags and vintage stock cars.

“The Super Bowl is an American tradition,” France said. “But we believe there’s room to honor American music — performed by artists who share our values and our love of this country.”

The “All-American Halftime Show” will take place at Daytona International Speedway, streamed live on Peacock, YouTube, and NASCAR’s official channels.
It’s set to feature a lineup of country, rock, and gospel performers — a direct alternative for viewers who, as France put it, “want a halftime show that feels like home.”

While the full list of artists remains under wraps, insiders hint at appearances from Carrie Underwood, Toby Keith, Kid Rock, and the U.S. Marine Band.

The Spark: Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl Controversy

The decision comes after months of controversy surrounding the NFL’s choice of Bad Bunny, the Puerto Rican global superstar, to headline the 2026 Super Bowl halftime show at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California.

Supporters have praised the pick as a reflection of America’s diversity. But many conservative fans — including some longtime NASCAR followers — criticized the choice as “un-American,” citing the artist’s Spanish-language songs and past criticism of Donald Trump’s immigration policies.

Former President Donald Trump dismissed the decision as “ridiculous,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson called it “a missed opportunity to unite the country.”

France, who has led NASCAR since 2018, insisted that the timing of his announcement was not meant as an attack on the NFL — but as an “alternative for patriotic fans.”

“We’re not competing against anyone,” France said. “We’re celebrating America — the flag, the families, and the music that built this nation.”

A Culture War in Real Time

Still, the optics are impossible to ignore.
Within minutes of NASCAR’s announcement, social media exploded with dueling hashtags: #TeamBunny and #TeamAmerica.

Conservative commentators hailed the move as “a win for traditional America,” while music critics accused NASCAR of politicizing entertainment.

“This is more than a halftime show — it’s a cultural standoff,” said Dr. Renee Martinez, a sociologist at Columbia University. “One side celebrates global inclusion; the other clings to national identity. Both call it patriotism.”

NASCAR, long associated with working-class, Southern-rooted audiences, has spent recent years modernizing its image — expanding diversity programs, introducing new markets, and courting younger fans.
This latest move, though, is a return to its roots: patriotic, unapologetic, and proudly American.

Inside NASCAR’s Plans

According to leaked production notes, the “All-American Halftime Show” will blend racing spectacle with musical performance.

The stage, shaped like an asphalt oval, will feature cars performing synchronized burnout routines while artists perform on raised platforms in the infield.

A tribute to veterans and first responders is also planned, including a live military flyover and fireworks synchronized to Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA.”

NASCAR producers expect the broadcast to last 20 minutes — roughly matching the NFL halftime duration — with a goal of drawing “at least 25% of the Super Bowl’s live audience.”

“It’s ambitious, sure,” said NASCAR spokesperson Lindsay Czarniak, “but we believe millions of viewers are hungry for something that feels truly American again.”

Bad Bunny Stays Cool

For his part, Bad Bunny has brushed off the controversy with humor.
During his recent appearance on Saturday Night Live, he addressed the backlash directly — in Spanish.

“If you didn’t understand what I just said,” he quipped in English, “you’ve got four months to learn.”

The joke drew laughter and applause, and the clip went viral — proving, once again, that the Latin superstar knows how to turn controversy into momentum.

According to Luminate, his U.S. streaming numbers surged 26% after the NFL’s announcement, from 173 million to 218.5 million weekly plays.

“He’s bulletproof,” said Billboard editor Tomás Rivera. “Every backlash only makes him more popular.”

A Divided America Chooses Its Channel

As Super Bowl Sunday approaches, viewers will face an unprecedented cultural split:

• In California, Bad Bunny will perform for the world.

• In Florida, NASCAR will celebrate “the heart of America.”

Polls from Morning Consult show 49% of conservative viewers plan to skip the NFL halftime entirely, while 28% say they’ll watch NASCAR’s broadcast instead.

“We’re making popcorn for both,” joked Twitter user @RedWhiteAndZoom. “Let’s see who wins the ratings race.”

Jim France’s Vision

For France, this event is about more than viewership — it’s legacy.

“My father built NASCAR to bring people together,” he said. “This halftime show does the same. Whether you love country, rock, or gospel, this is for you.”

As the lights prepare to shine on both Daytona and Santa Clara, America stands ready for a halftime like no other — two stages, two sounds, and two visions of what the nation means.

One global. One patriotic.
And both racing toward history.