Daytona 500 Weather Forecast: Rain Possible as Race Goes On

NASCAR has moved up the start time in hopes of avoiding delays during the season opener.

Published on Feb. 15, 2026

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The 2026 Daytona 500 is scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, an hour earlier than originally planned, as NASCAR tries to get ahead of potential inclement weather in Daytona Beach, Florida. According to the latest forecast, there is a 7% chance of rain around 4 p.m. ET that increases to 12% by 7 p.m. ET, with thunderstorms expected in the evening. The race could be impacted if it runs long into the day.

Why it matters

Weather has frequently disrupted the Daytona 500 in recent years, with last season's race seeing over 3 hours of delays due to rain. NASCAR is hoping the earlier start time will allow them to complete the race before the worst of the weather arrives.

The details

The Daytona 500 green flag is now scheduled for 2:13 p.m. ET, an hour earlier than originally planned. The FOX Forecast Center is tracking mostly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 70s for the duration of the race, but warns that light to moderate rain could move in starting around 6 p.m. ET if the race runs long. A few lightning strikes will also be possible after 8 p.m. ET.

  • The 2026 Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026.
  • The race start time has been moved up to 1:30 p.m. ET.
  • The green flag is now scheduled for 2:13 p.m. ET.

The players

Daytona International Speedway

The iconic racetrack that hosts the annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Cup Series race.

FOX Weather

The weather forecasting division of the FOX Sports media network, providing the weather outlook for the Daytona 500.

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What’s next

NASCAR will continue to monitor the weather conditions throughout the day on Sunday and make any necessary adjustments to the race schedule if needed to avoid delays.

The takeaway

Weather has been a persistent challenge for the Daytona 500 in recent years, and NASCAR is taking proactive steps by moving up the start time in hopes of completing the race before the worst of the forecasted storms arrive. However, the race could still be impacted if it runs long into the evening hours.