Weather Forces NASCAR to Delay Daytona 500 Start

What’s Happening?

An impending storm Sunday evening has forced NASCAR to move the start time for the Daytona 500. According to NASCAR, the race will begin at 1:30 PM ET. This is the second year in a row the race will be affected by weather.

• NASCAR announced this decision Friday morning. They are also making correlating changes to the time gates, hospitality, the Fanzone, and parking lots open. Parking now opens at 6 AM, the Fanzone opens at 8:30 AM, and gates and hospitality open at 8:30 AM (all times Eastern)
• On Thursday, the National Weather Service forecast stated that the high would be 55% from 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM. However, the forecast now states that there is a 40% chance from 1 to 6 PM.
• However, around that same time yesterday, a major rain shower and windstorm washed out practice sessions for the ARCA Menards and Craftsman Truck Series. While it appeared the Duels could be delayed or canceled, the forecast changed, with cleanup delaying the start time by a few minutes.
• Last year, a major rain storm forced NASCAR to pack Friday with an ARCA and Truck Series doubleheader and Monday with a Daytona 500 and Xfinity race doubleheader. It seems as if the weekend will go without a hitch, but if Thursday taught us anything, Flordia weather is just as unpredictable as ever.

Race Week Weather Forecast for the 2025 Daytona 500 and Speedweeks

Race Week Weather Forecast for the 2025 Daytona 500 and Speedweeks

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