LEBANON, Tenn. – Nashville Superspeedway announced today that chart-topping singer-songwriter ERNEST will serve as the grand marshal for the Cracker Barrel 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on Sunday. The Nashville native, hailed as “The Charmer” by MusicRow and a triple-threat talent who “creates a sound all his own” (Pollstar), will give the command to start engines as Amazon Prime Video broadcasts the event to its world-wide audience.
“ERNEST embodies the heart and soul of Nashville, making him the ideal grand marshal for the Cracker Barrel 400,” said Matt Greci, general manager of Nashville Superspeedway. “His remarkable talent, deep connection to Music City and ability to captivate audiences will bring an unforgettable energy to our race weekend.”
ERNEST, a four-time ACM Award nominee, including a 2024-25 nod for Artist-Songwriter of the Year, and three-time CMA Triple Play Award winner, has cemented his status as one of Music City’s defining artist-writers. With influences spanning Eminem to George Jones, he has penned 13 No. 1 hits, including the Hot 100 record-breaking “I Had Some Help” by Post Malone featuring Morgan Wallen, earning a 2025 GRAMMY nomination.
His sophomore album, NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE, featuring 26 tracks with collaborations alongside Lainey Wilson, Lukas Nelson, Jelly Roll and HARDY, has been lauded by The Tennessean for honoring Music City while proving ERNEST’s dynamic artistry. Short-listed as a “Best of the Year So Far” by Billboard, The Tennessean and Country Now, the album follows his critically acclaimed FLOWER SHOPS (THE ALBUM) and its deluxe edition, Two Dozen Roses.
In 2024, ERNEST joined Morgan Wallen’s “One Night at a Time Stadium Tour” and Jelly Roll’s “Beautifully Broken Tour,” showcasing his high-energy performances.
He recently launched DeVille Records, signing GRAMMY-nominated Chandler Walters, Rhys Rutherford and Cody Lohden. The label’s debut project, Cadillac Sessions, a mixtape-style album, has garnered attention from Billboard, Complex and Variety.
ERNEST continues to tour in 2025, supporting Lainey Wilson and Old Dominion.
Previous grand marshals for NACAR Cup Series races as Nashville Superspeedway include HARDY (2024), Old Dominion (2023), Kane Brown (2022) and Luke Combs (2021).
Other dignitaries for the weekend include the following:
- Saturday’s Tennessee Lottery 250 NASCAR Xfinity Series race
- Xfinity Color Guard – Wilson County Emergency Agency
- Xfinity Invocation – Jacob Armstrong, Pastor, Providence Church, Mt. Juliet
- Xfinity Anthem – Rocky Wallace, small business owner and Nashville artist
- Xfinity Honorary Starter – Blain Bishop, former Tennessee Titan
- Xfinity Grand Marshal – John Crosslin, board of directors, vice chair, Tennessee Lottery
Sunday’s Cracker Barrel 400 NASCAR Cup Series race
- Cup Color Guard – US Marine Corps Color Guard
- Cup Invocation – USMC Chaplain Nathan Huffman
- Cup Anthem – USMC Sergeant Elizabeth Marino
- Cup Honorary Starter – Sarah Moore, chief marketing officer, Cracker Barrel
- Cup Honorary Pace Car – County Music performer Chase Rice
- Cup VIPs – Papa Roach band members
- Cup Honorary Race Official – Major Sergeant USMC Carlos A. Ruiz
- Cup Pre-Race concert – SJ McDonald, country music rising star
The Cracker Barrel 400 anchors a triple-header race weekend at Nashville Superspeedway, featuring NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series races from May 30 to June 1. A limited number of tickets are on sale now at NashvilleSuperspeedway.com or by calling 866.RACE.TIX.
