NASCAR Moves Up Daytona 500 Start Time as Thunderstorms Loom

Heavy rain expected to hit Daytona Beach in the evening, threatening the race's completion.

Feb. 15, 2026 at 9:31pm

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The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season is set to get underway with the 68th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday. With weather expected to be a factor as the day goes on, NASCAR has moved the race up an hour to 1:30 p.m. ET, with the green flag set to wave at 2:13 p.m. AccuWeather is projecting heavy thunderstorms to move into Daytona Beach in the evening, with rain chances increasing to 47% by 5 p.m.

Why it matters

Weather has been an ongoing challenge for NASCAR, with recent Daytona 500 races seeing significant delays due to storms. The sanctioning body is hoping to get the race completed before the heavy rain arrives, but the threat of weather disrupting the season-opening event remains.

The details

NASCAR has moved up the start time of the Daytona 500 in an effort to complete the race before the forecasted thunderstorms arrive in the Daytona Beach area. The green flag is now scheduled to wave at 2:13 p.m. ET, an hour earlier than originally planned.

  • The 2026 Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 16, 2026.
  • The green flag is set to wave at 2:13 p.m. ET.
  • Rain chances are less than 20% at the start of the race, increasing to 47% by 5 p.m.

The players

Kyle Busch

The two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion will lead the field to green in the 2026 Daytona 500 after qualifying for the pole position.

Chase Briscoe

The Championship 4 driver from the 2025 season will start on the outside of the front row for the Daytona 500.

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What’s next

NASCAR will look to get the Daytona 500 completed before the heavy thunderstorms arrive in the evening.

The takeaway

Weather has been a persistent challenge for NASCAR at the Daytona 500, with recent editions of the race seeing significant delays due to storms. The sanctioning body is taking proactive steps to try and avoid a weather-related disruption to the 2026 season-opening event.