NASCAR and Anheuser-Busch have added two more high-profile country music artists to the lineup of the upcoming Busch Light Summer Music Series.
This concert series, which NASCAR unveiled as part of a sponsorship extension with Anheuser-Busch, will set up five Cup Series races. The first will be at Texas Motor Speedway on May 4. The others will be Michigan International Speedway on June 8, Chicago on July 6, Iowa Speedway on Aug. 3, and World Wide Technology Raceway on Sept. 7.
According to the announcement, top-selling Nashville artist Ernest will kick off the Summer Music Series by performing at Texas Motor Speedway. Multi-platinum artist Nate Smith will perform at Michigan International Speedway.
Ernest is no stranger to success. He has scored 13 No. 1 hits as a songwriter and has several No. 1 hits on country music radio, including a duet with Morgan Wallen called "Flower Shops."
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Smith, the ACM New Male Artist of the Year, has released numerous singles that have been certified gold and platinum. This list includes "Whiskey on You," "World on Fire," "Bulletproof," and "Wreckage."
Smith will now have the opportunity to set up the Cup Series race at one of NASCAR's fastest tracks, one that has become a bucket list win for Ford drivers in particular.
"The Busch Light Summer Music Series is going to be a great addition to the lineup of events for our June race weekend, and Nate Smith will put on an incredible show for fans at Michigan International Speedway this summer," said Michigan International Speedway President Joe Fowler.
"Nate's electrifying energy and chart-topping hits will set the tone for a jam-packed race weekend, bringing fans together for a celebration of motorsports and music in the Irish Hills."
NASCAR and Anheuser-Busch previously revealed that the multi-platinum group the Zac Brown Band will perform before the Chicago Street Race as part of this Summer Music Series. NASCAR will reveal the performers for Iowa Speedway and World Wide Technology Raceway at a later date.
"As part of our renewed partnership with Busch Light, they're putting a premium on finding fresh new ways to drive deeper fan engagement and enhance the entertainment and experience at the track, and the Summer Music Series does just that," said Michelle Byron, NASCAR Executive Vice President and Chief Partnership and Licensing Officer, in a statement.
"It will be NASCAR, Busch Light, and some of the biggest names in country music throughout the weekend in Texas, Michigan, and Chicago. I can't think of a better combination for the best fans in all of sports."