Daytona 500 Start Moved Up One Hour Due to Rain Threat

The 2026 Daytona 500, NASCAR's marquee event, will start one hour earlier than first planned. Officials made the change to avoid heavy rain expected in the Daytona Beach area late Sunday afternoon. The race now begins with TV coverage at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX, and the green flag drops around 2:13 p.m. ET at Daytona International Speedway.

Background

Daytona Speedweeks sets the stage for the NASCAR Cup Series season. This year, it includes qualifying races, practice sessions, and the big Daytona 500 on Sunday. The event draws fans from across the country and around the world to the 2.5-mile track in Florida. Families often make it a tradition, camping out for days before the race.

Rain has hit the Daytona 500 before. In 2020 and 2024, the race moved to Monday because of wet weather. The 2021 event faced long delays but finished late Sunday night. This is the third time in six years that bad weather has forced changes to the sport's biggest race.

The track fills up fast during Speedweeks. Parking lots open at 6 a.m. ET, and gates plus hospitality areas swing open at 9 a.m. ET for the adjusted schedule. A sold-out crowd packs the stands, with 41 drivers set to compete over 500 miles.

Key Details

Kyle Busch earned the pole position in a single-lap qualifying session on Wednesday night. The two-time series champion will lead the field from Richard Childress Racing. Joe Gibbs Racing driver Chase Briscoe starts next to him on the front row.

Joey Logano, a three-time series champion, won the first qualifying race and lines up third. Chase Elliott, the 2020 series champion and eight-time most popular driver, took the second qualifying race and starts fourth.

Reigning series champion Kyle Larson qualified eighth after a strong run in the second qualifying race. He finished behind Elliott and Carson Hocevar. Two-time defending winner William Byron faces a tough start from 39th after a crash in his qualifying race.

The race purse tops $31 million, the largest in Daytona 500 history. Once drivers hit the halfway mark of 100 laps, or 250 miles, the event counts as official. That means no need to restart if rain hits after that point.

Viewing and Streaming Options

Fans can watch the race live on FOX starting at 1:30 p.m. ET. Streaming options include FOX Sports app and other services that carry FOX broadcasts. Coverage follows the full Speedweeks action, which has built excitement all week.

"This race means a lot to me. It's our biggest race of the season. We've won a lot of big races, but not the Daytona 500. It would be amazing to add that to the resume." – Kyle Larson, reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion

Drivers and fans spoke about the event's pull. Larson stressed its place as the pinnacle of the sport. Byron, who won in 2024 and 2025, eyes a historic three-peat. No driver has ever won three Daytona 500s in a row.

What This Means

The time shift gives NASCAR a better shot at finishing the full 500 miles dry. Forecasters predict rain starting late afternoon, so the earlier green flag aims to wrap things up before it pours. If the race reaches halfway, it locks in the result no matter the weather.

Fans adjust plans too. Earlier gates mean more time to settle in, but some camped out days ago. The loyal crowd shrugs off the change, focused on the action. A win here carries weight all season, boosting a driver's standings and team morale.

Byron's back-to-back victories put pressure on the field. A three-peat would mark new ground. Busch on pole gives him inside track for his first Daytona 500 win. Larson chases his first crown jewel here after other big triumphs.

The lineup mixes veterans and challengers. Logano and Elliott bring proven speed from qualifiers. Briscoe and Hocevar add fresh energy. Weather stays the wild card, but the shift buys time.

Speedweeks wraps with this race, launching the 2026 Cup Series. Tracks across the country follow, but Daytona sets the tone. The $31 million purse ups the stakes for teams and sponsors. Drivers know a strong start here builds momentum for the championship chase.

Track conditions look good early Sunday. Crews monitor radar closely. The move shows NASCAR's push to deliver the full show to fans. Crowds buzz with talk of dark horses who could surprise from mid-pack.

Byron's deep start tests his recovery skills. Past winners often charge from back. Elliott's fan favorite status amps up his fourth-place bid. The field promises close racing on the high-banked oval.

NASCAR eyes clear skies for the broadcast. FOX cameras capture every lap. Viewers at home get the same thrills as the live crowd. The earlier slot fits more pre-race buildup on air.