DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — The start time for Sunday’s Daytona 500 has been moved one hour earlier because of the threat of inclement weather.
NASCAR officials made the schedule adjustment Saturday, coordinating with Daytona International Speedway and TV partners for an official program start at 1:30 p.m. ET (FOX, MRN Radio, HBO Max, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio). The green flag is set for 2:13 p.m. ET.
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The National Weather Service has forecast a 50 percent chance of rain Sunday afternoon, but with a more substantial chance for precipitation moving in that evening. Officials adjusted the schedule to provide a better window for completing all 500 miles on race day.
Pole winner Kyle Busch and Chase Briscoe will share the front row when the “Great American Race” gets underway. The event is the first of 36 points-paying races for the NASCAR Cup Series’ 2026 season.
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The last two editions of the Daytona 500 have been affected by rain. Last year’s running was slowed by 3 1/2 hours of red-flag time, and the 2024 race was pushed to Monday by washout conditions.
Sunday’s race is a sellout. The 41 drivers in the field will compete for a record purse of $31,045,575.