Zac Brown Band, Russell Dickerson, Jo Dee Messina, Brittney Spencer, Warren Zeiders, and 12 Ford Racing drivers headline Veterans Day event airing live on Versant properties USA Network and streaming LIVE on TikTok.
- Six teams of two Ford racing drivers each will honor the six branches of the U.S. military in 12 Mustang® Dark Horse™ Rs.
- Each car will feature a Ford Racing livery inspired by a powerful military vehicle, vessel or aircraft.
- Drivers include NASCAR champions, rising stars, and competitors from across Ford Racing. Event partners include TikTok, T-Mobile, USAA, and Versant.
DEARBORN, Mich., Oct. 27, 2026 – Ford today announced new details for the inaugural Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic, a first-of-its-kind military tribute race
and musical performances at Daytona International Speedway on Nov. 11 that will unite racing, music and service in support of the nation’s military community. It will air live in primetime on USA Network and streaming LIVE on the @usanetwork TikTok.
Twelve Ford Racing drivers, in six teams, will each race in honor of a branch of the U.S. military, bringing the spirit of a great American sporting rivalry to the track. They will go head-to-head in Mustang® Dark Horse™ Rs with custom military-inspired liveries.
The race will be paired with musical performances headlined by Zac Brown Band and featuring Russell Dickerson, Jo Dee Messina, Brittney Spencer, and Warren Zeiders.
The show will be produced by Jesse Collins Entertainment. The evening will create moments of connection and community for military and veteran families, combining the tradition of a Veterans Day tribute with the unmistakable energy of an all-American race day.
The Classic was developed in collaboration with NASCAR, IMSA (International Motor Sports Association), HSR (Historic Sportscar Racing) and Blue Star Families. It will
benefit six nonprofits: Blue Star Families, Camp Southern Ground, DAV (Disabled American Veterans), Team Rubicon, Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS),
and The Travis Manion Foundation.
Tickets are on sale now at fordveteransdayclassic.com .
“For more than a century, Ford has stood alongside the people who serve our country and the families who support them,” said Bill Ford, Executive Chairman, Ford Motor Co.
“The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic brings together racing, music and service to create a joyful new Veterans Day tradition that celebrates the entire military community.”
Race Details
For the first time ever, top Ford drivers will go head-to-head in a 12-car lineup on the storied Daytona International Speedway Road Course – all behind the wheel of Mustang® Dark Horse®™ Rs. They will compete in a 15-minute qualifying session ahead of a 30-minute race.
The driver lineup, and which branch they will represent, includes:
- U.S. Army: Brad Keselowski and Joey Hand
- U.S. Marine Corps: Ryan Blaney and Ben Hobson
- U.S. Navy: Ryan Preece and Logan Sargeant
- U.S. Air Force: Austin Cindric and Frankie Muniz
- U.S. Space Force: Noah Gragson and Layne Riggs
- U.S. Coast Guard: Joey Logano and Ty Majeski
Several of the drivers have personal ties to the military and veteran community: Joey Hand’s father served 20 years in the Army National Reserve; Logan Sargeant’s
grandfather served 30 years in the Navy; and Frankie Muniz’s father served 20 years in the Navy and Air Force.
Livery Specs
Each Mustang® Dark Horse™ R will feature a custom Ford Racing livery inspired by an iconic vehicle, vessel or aircraft associated with one of the six military branches.
- U.S. Army: Inspired by the Abrams tank, one of the world’s most capable battle
tanks, and its powerful, purposeful design. - U.S. Marine Corps: Inspired by the Assault Amphibious Vehicle and its ability to
operate across land and water. - U.S. Navy: Inspired by the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyer and its
commanding presence at sea. - U.S. Air Force: Inspired by the F-22 Raptor, a supersonic stealth fighter aircraft,
and its sleek, advanced design. - U.S. Space Force: Inspired by the X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle and its forward-
looking, space-ready form. - U.S. Coast Guard: Inspired by the Sentinel-class Fast Response Cutter patrol
vessel and its speed and mission-ready design.
“These liveries honor the distinct character and mission of every military branch,” said Mark Rushbrook, Global Director, Ford Racing. “Our designers took inspiration from some of America’s most recognizable military vehicles and transformed those cues into six unmistakably Ford Racing designs.”
Entertainment
The race will be paired with musical performances headlined by Zac Brown Band and featuring Russell Dickerson, Jo Dee Messina, Brittney Spencer, and Warren Zeiders. Zac Brown will serve as an executive producer, alongside Jesse Collins, Dionne Harmon, Seth Dudowsky and Jeannae Rouzan-Clay from Jesse Collins Entertainment.
In addition to the race and performances, the live show will feature cameos from well- known actors, creators, and other surprise guests – including Emmy-award-winning actor Bryan Cranston and Adam Scherr (host of Everything On The Menu on USA Network, globally known as WWE icon Braun Strowman). Show segments will honor those who serve our country and spotlight the nonprofit organizations that support service members, veterans, and their families.
At the Proud to Honor Tailgate ahead of the event, each nonprofit partner will have its own space where guests can learn about their mission, meet their teams, and find ways to get involved. Fans will be encouraged to sign up to volunteer, make a donation, or learn how to support the military and veteran community year-round. Fans also will be able to get an up-close look at the Mustang® Dark Horse™ Rs and liveries and Ford Heritage race vehicles. Attendees will have a chance to try Ford Racing simulators, purchase exclusive Proud to Honor merchandise, and participate in meet-and-greets with the drivers.
Support for Military and Veteran Community
Ford has launched the Proud to Honor Fund, powered by GlobalGiving, to ensure the impact from the Classic continues long after the checkered flag flies. Every dollar
donated to the Fund goes directly to the six nonprofit partners.
Half of ticket proceeds will benefit Blue Star Families, and merchandise sales and on-site giving prompts will also raise money for the Fund. Ford Philanthropy is providing 1,000 complimentary tickets to eligible military and veteran families.
Partners
In addition to NASCAR, IMSA and HSR, Ford is partnering with leading organizations that share its commitment to honoring the military and veteran communities to bring the Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic to life.
- TikTok: Joins Ford for a second consecutive year, following 2025’s Proud to Honor benefit concert in Nashville, Tennessee, which raised support for the military community and Ford’s six nonprofit partners. At this year’s Proud to Honor Tailgate, the TikTok Shop & Small Business Showcase will put the spotlight on veteran-owned small businesses flourishing on the platform — inviting guests to meet the founders, explore their products and take home samples. The event will also offer guests the chance to engage directly with leading veteran-focused nonprofits.
- T-Mobile: Honors service members and military families by helping them stay connected, supporting veteran employment and partnering with organizations
such as Blue Star Families. - USAA: Founded on military values, USAA has stood shoulder to shoulder with the military community for more than a century.
- Versant: Will air the Veterans Day Classic on USA Network, a longstanding NASCAR partner. The broadcast follows its coverage of the final 14 NASCAR races of the season, making it easier for fans to tune in for this special event.
- Additional partners include Margaritaville at Sea, Michelin, Sparco, and VP Racing Fuels.
How to Watch
The Proud to Honor Veterans Day Classic will take place Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Daytona International Speedway. The race and performances will air live from 8 – 10p.m. ET on USA Network and stream LIVE on TikTok @usanetwork, so military families stationed overseas and fans across the country can watch in real time.
Tickets are on sale at fordveteransdayclassic.com, starting at $110 for general admission and $305 for the VIP experience. There’s a 20% discount for veterans verified by GovX, and Ticketmaster is waiving fees for everyone.
