In response to anticipated thunderstorms on Sunday in Daytona Beach, Florida, organizers of the NASCAR Cup Series season opener have moved the 2026 Daytona 500 start time up by one hour to minimize weather-related interruptions. Scheduled to air on FOX, the event will now begin at 1:30 p.m. ET, with the green flag expected around 2:13 p.m. ET.
FOX’s pre-race coverage, NASCAR RaceDay, is set to start at 11:30 a.m. ET. These adjustments aim to avoid the common delays at Daytona International Speedway caused by inclement weather.
Weather Expectations for Sunday’s Race at Daytona Beach
According to the FOX Weather forecast, the conditions for the Daytona 500 will be mostly favorable during the early afternoon, with only a 7 percent chance of rain by 4 p.m. ET. This risk rises slightly to 12 percent by 7 p.m. ET, when thunderstorms are expected to arrive. After midnight, skies should clear to partly cloudy.
Temperatures are expected to reach a high of 79 degrees Fahrenheit, dropping to a low near 59 degrees, accompanied by light winds of around six miles per hour. The sunset is scheduled for 6:13 p.m. ET, but the Daytona track is equipped with lighting, allowing for night racing if needed.
For the Daytona 500 on Sunday, the longer the race goes, the worse the forecast gets,
said the FOX Forecast Center.
A storm system will be moving in from the west and is poised to reach the Daytona Beach area by the early evening. The FOX Forecast Center is tracking mostly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 70s for the duration of the race. However, should the race run long, light to moderate rain will begin to move in starting around 6 p.m. ET. A few lightning strikes will be possible around the race track, but not until after 8 p.m. ET.
Weather Challenges and Historical Context for Daytona 500 and NASCAR Season
Rain has previously impacted the Daytona 500, including last season when two rain delays extended the event by over three and a half hours before William Byron secured the win. The 2026 NASCAR season has also already experienced weather-affected racing; the Clash at Bowman Gray in North Carolina, a preseason exhibition race, was delayed by rain and took three and a half hours to complete amid multiple caution periods and challenging wet track conditions.
By moving the start time earlier, NASCAR hopes to complete the Daytona 500 with minimal weather delays, ensuring a smoother experience for drivers and fans at Daytona International Speedway.
