NASCAR moves up Daytona 500 start time due to expected rain

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Due to the potential of inclement weather later in the day, NASCAR is adjusting the start time for Sunday’s Daytona 500, with the league’s biggest race now slated to begin at 1:30 p.m. (ET). The green flag is now scheduled for 2:13 p.m., an hour earlier than originally set, the league announced Saturday.

Rain is forecasted for the Daytona Beach area in the early evening on Sunday, and by moving up the start time by one hour, NASCAR hopes to avoid delays that might prevent the 500-mile/200-lap race from being completed. A race is scored as official if half the scheduled distance is completed.

Nothing is changing with the Daytona 500’s broadcast partners. Fox and MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will air the race on television and radio, respectively.

This marks the second consecutive year that NASCAR and Daytona International Speedway have opted to adjust the Daytona 500 start time due to expected weather conditions. It also continues a recent trend in which poor weather has forced the race to be rescheduled. In 2020 and 2024, the race was moved from Sunday to Monday, and the 2021 race was concluded well into Sunday evening after a long delay.

William Byron is the two-time defending Daytona 500 champion; a third straight win would be a race record. Kyle Busch, who is winless in 20 prior attempts at Daytona, starts on the pole after setting fast time Wednesday night.