Daytona 500 Start Time Moved Up Due to Weather: What You Need to Know
The Daytona 500, NASCAR's premier race, will kick off an hour earlier than planned due to expected inclement weather. The race start time has been moved up from 3:13 p.m. to 2:13 p.m. ET, with Fox's broadcast starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. The decision was made to ensure the race can be completed before potential rain hits the Daytona Beach area later in the day. NASCAR RaceDay will begin at 11:30 a.m. ET on Fox.
This adjustment marks the second consecutive year that the Daytona 500 start time has been changed due to weather concerns. Last year, the race start was moved up to 1:46 p.m. from the original 2:50 p.m. slot. In 2020, adverse weather conditions forced the race to be rescheduled from Sunday to Monday. The last time the Daytona 500 started at its scheduled time was in 2023.
Fox's broadcast team, including Mike Joy, Kevin Harvick, Clint Bowyer, Larry McReynolds, and Jamie McMurray, will provide coverage of the race as the green flag drops early Sunday afternoon. The earlier start time aims to ensure that the full 200-lap event can be completed without interruptions.