In a proactive move to outrun a rainy forecast, NASCAR has shifted the start of the 68th running of the Daytona 500. Originally scheduled for later in the afternoon, the Great American Race will now see its television coverage and green flag drop earlier on Sunday to maximize the window of clear weather.

Officials made the decision Saturday after meteorologists predicted a significant chance of heavy precipitation moving into the Daytona Beach area by late evening, potentially threatening the completion of the full 200-lap event. By adjusting the schedule, NASCAR hopes to crown a winner on the track rather than facing a potential delay or a rain-shortened finish.

Here’s the new start time for the highly-anticipated race.

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When does the Daytona 500 start?

The 68th running of the Daytona 500 is scheduled for Sunday, February 15, 2026.

NASCAR has officially moved the start time up by one hour to get ahead of the rain. 

TV Coverage Begins: 1:30 PM ET Green Flag (Race Start): Approximately 2:14 PM ET

Meteorologists are tracking a significant weather system expected to bring heavy rain to the Daytona Beach area late Sunday evening. By moving the green flag up, NASCAR officials hope to complete the full 200-lap (500-mile) distance before the storm arrives.

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Why was the Daytona 500 start time moved up?

NASCAR moved the start time of the 2026 Daytona 500 up by one hour as a proactive measure to avoid heavy rain and thunderstorms forecasted for Sunday evening.

By shifting the schedule earlier, officials are attempting to secure a large enough weather window to complete the full 200-lap race on Sunday. 

NASCAR needs to reach the halfway point (100 laps / 250 miles) for the race to be considered official if rain eventually forces a stoppage.

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Daytona 500 weather forecast

For Sunday, February 15, in Daytona Beach, the forecast calls for rain during the day with a high temperature of 75°F. The chance of precipitation is 35% during the day, increasing to an 85% chance of light rain at night. Winds are expected to be 17 mph from the south.

Based on the latest trends for race day, the threat of precipitation increases as the day progresses.

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Daytona 500 starting gridPosDriverCar No.Team1Kyle Busch8Richard Childress Racing2Chase Briscoe19Joe Gibbs Racing3Joey Logano22Team Penske4Chase Elliott9Hendrick Motorsports5Ryan Blaney12Team Penske6Carson Hocevar77Spire Motorsports7Austin Dillon3Richard Childress Racing8Kyle Larson5Hendrick Motorsports9Brad Keselowski6RFK Racing10Michael McDowell71Spire Motorsports11John Hunter Nemechek42Legacy Motor Club12Christopher Bell20Joe Gibbs Racing13Shane van Gisbergen97Trackhouse Racing14Josh Berry21Wood Brothers Racing15Daniel Suarez7Spire Motorsports16Ricky Stenhouse Jr.47Hyak Motorsports17Casey Mears66Garage 6618Todd Gilliland34Front Row Motorsports19Ryan Preece60RFK Racing20Ty Gibbs54Joe Gibbs Racing21Alex Bowman48Hendrick Motorsports22Denny Hamlin11Joe Gibbs Racing23Cole Custer41Haas Factory Team24Erik Jones43Legacy Motor Club25Noah Gragson4Front Row Motorsports26Tyler Reddick4523XI Racing27Bubba Wallace2323XI Racing28Riley Herbst3523XI Racing29Corey Heim*6723XI Racing30Zane Smith38Front Row Motorsports31Jimmie Johnson84Legacy Motor Club32Connor Zilisch88Trackhouse Racing33Cody Ware51Rick Ware Racing34Ty Dillon10Kaulig Racing35AJ Allmendinger16Kaulig Racing36Austin Cindric2Team Penske37Ross Chastain1Trackhouse Racing38BJ McLeod78Live Fast Motorsports39William Byron24Hendrick Motorsports40Justin Allgaier40JR Motorsports41Chris Buescher17RFK Racing