Daytona 500 Start Time Moved Up

NASCAR adjusts schedule due to weather forecast

Feb. 14, 2026 at 8:55pm

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The 2026 Daytona 500, the 68th running of the Great American Race, will not start as originally scheduled. Due to the potential for uncooperative weather on Sunday, NASCAR has decided to move up the start time of the event.

Why it matters

The Daytona 500 is one of the most prestigious and widely watched NASCAR races of the year. Adjusting the start time to avoid inclement weather is critical to ensuring the race can be completed safely and without disruption for the thousands of fans in attendance and millions watching at home.

The details

NASCAR has not provided specifics on how much earlier the Daytona 500 start time will be moved up, but the decision was made to proactively adjust the schedule in response to the weather forecast for Sunday.

  • The 2026 Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, 2026.

The players

NASCAR

The sanctioning body that organizes and oversees the Daytona 500 and other premier stock car racing events.

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What’s next

NASCAR will announce the revised start time for the 2026 Daytona 500 in the coming days to allow fans and teams to adjust their plans accordingly.

The takeaway

Adjusting the start time of major sporting events to avoid weather disruptions is a common practice, demonstrating NASCAR's commitment to delivering the best possible experience for fans and participants at the Daytona 500.