Billy Ray Cyrus Pre-Game Concert Headlines Phoenix Raceway NASCAR Weekend
Phoenix Raceway announced that two-time GRAMMY Award winner Billy Ray Cyrus will headline the pre-race concert for the NASCAR Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500 on Sunday, October 18, 2026. The performance precedes the green flag for the decisive Chase race, bringing a live concert to the championship-caliber weekend.
Cyrus will take the stage to perform a set of his career hits alongside his most recent release, “Party’s In The Back,” a collaboration with DELTONA. The concert is part of an action-packed Sunday schedule that culminates with the Freeway Insurance 500 race starting at noon MST.
Concert Details and Ticket Packages at Phoenix Raceway
Race fans seeking enhanced access for the October 18 event can purchase admission to the Desert Diamond Casino Infield Experience. This package grants ticket holders close proximity to the concert stage, access to walk inside the NASCAR Cup Series garages where teams prepare for the race, and the opportunity to sign the start/finish line.
The Sunday concert and race cap off a three-day weekend at the Avondale, Arizona track. The schedule begins on Friday, October 16, with the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series, followed by a Saturday, October 17 doubleheader featuring the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the ARCA Menards Series West.
Career Milestones and Philanthropic Work
The performance aligns with a busy milestone year for Cyrus, who recently celebrated the 20th anniversary of Hannah Montana on Disney+ alongside his daughter, Miley, and released his first studio album in 14 years, titled THE HILL. His career spans music, film, television, and theater, beginning with his 1992 debut album Some Gave All, which spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and featured the multi-platinum single “Achy Breaky Heart.”
Cyrus also holds the global record for the longest-running No. 1 song on the Billboard Hot 100 as an artist and co-songwriter for “Old Town Road” with Lil Nas X, a 14x Diamond-certified hit. Outside of his entertainment career, he maintains an active philanthropic schedule supporting U.S. service members, veterans, and first responders.
Frequently Asked Questions About the October Race Weekend
What time does the Freeway Insurance 500 start on Sunday, October 18?
The NASCAR Cup Series Freeway Insurance 500 is scheduled for a noon MST start on Sunday, October 18, 2026, at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona.
What events take place on Saturday, October 17?
Saturday features a racing doubleheader comprising the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and the ARCA Menards Series West.
What does the Desert Diamond Casino Infield Experience include?
Infield Experience passholders gain prime access to the Billy Ray Cyrus concert stage, entry to the NASCAR Cup Series garages, and the chance to sign the track’s start/finish line.
Worth a look