NASCAR adjusts Daytona 500 schedule. Here’s when they’ll run the Great American Race
The threat of rain has changed Sunday’s schedule on NASCAR’s biggest weekend.
NASCAR announced Friday afternoon that its premier race — the Daytona 500 — will be moved up an hour. The start time for the Cup Series’ first points-paying race of the season will start at 1:30 p.m., an adjustment from the original 2:30 p.m. start time.
The race will still be broadcast on FOX, which will begin its prerace coverage at 11:30 a.m.
The area surrounding Daytona International Speedway has a 53% chance of rain, with most of the showers forming in the late afternoon and evening, forecasts by Weather.com shows.
The gates and hospitality will open at 9 a.m. The FanZone will open at 8:30 a.m., with parking lots opening at 6 a.m. Sunday.
The drivers meeting is now at 12:30 p.m. Driver introductions will now begin at 1:05 p.m.
This is far from the first time rain has adjusted Daytona International Speedway scheduling before. It even happened earlier this week, on Thursday, when a deluge of rain canceled Truck Series and Xfinity Series practice. The rain stopped and the track was dry, however, before Thursday’s Duel races.
Check back for updates on this developing story.
This story was originally published February 14, 2025 at 1:50 PM with the headline "NASCAR adjusts Daytona 500 schedule. Here’s when they’ll run the Great American Race."
