The 2026 Daytona 500 is already feeling the pressure, and the green flag has not even dropped. With rain in the forecast for Sunday afternoon and evening in Daytona Beach, NASCAR moved the start time up one hour in hopes of staying ahead of the weather. The Great American Race is now set to begin Sunday at 1:30 p.m. ET, with the green flag scheduled for approximately 2:13 p.m. ET on FOX.
According to FOX Weather, rain chances sit at 7 percent around 4 p.m. ET and increase to 12 percent by 7 p.m. ET. Thunderstorms are expected later in the evening. Highs are projected near 79 degrees with light winds, but as the FOX Forecast Center noted, the longer the race runs, the more the weather becomes a factor. Light to moderate rain could begin moving in around 6 p.m. ET, with possible lightning after 8 p.m.
Last year’s Daytona 500 was heavily impacted by rain, with two delays totaling more than three and a half hours before William Byron took the win. Weather has already played a role in the 2026 NASCAR season as well, with the Clash at Bowman Gray stretching over three and a half hours in wet and chaotic conditions.
With a stacked field led by pole sitter Kyle Busch and front-row starter Chase Briscoe, anticipation is high at Daytona International Speedway. NASCAR’s decision to adjust the start time could prove crucial in keeping the action on track and avoiding another marathon delay under Florida skies.