The Daytona 500 Cup Series forecast points to possible weather interruptions on Sunday as the NASCAR season opener takes place at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida. Organizers have already shifted the race start time ahead by one hour to help avoid delays, a familiar concern for this iconic event.
The green flag for the 2026 Daytona 500 is now scheduled to drop at 2:13 p.m. ET, with coverage beginning at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Fans tuning in early can catch pre-race analysis on NASCAR RaceDay, starting at 11:30 a.m. ET. With the Daytona 500 Cup Series forecast heavily focused on rain chances, both participants and spectators are keeping a close eye on changing conditions.
Weather Outlook for Daytona 500 Race Day
FOX Weather’s latest updates indicate that rain chances will grow as Sunday progresses in Daytona Beach. The estimate is around a 7 percent chance of rain by 4 p.m. ET, rising to 12 percent around 7 p.m. Thunderstorms are anticipated in the evening, with improved conditions expected after midnight, offering partly cloudy skies overnight. Temperatures should reach a high of 79°F and drop to a low near 59°F, with gentle winds clocking in at about six miles per hour. The sunset is set for 6:13 p.m. ET, although the Daytona International Speedway is equipped with track lighting for nighttime racing.
“For the Daytona 500 on Sunday, the longer the race goes, the worse the forecast gets,”
per the FOX Forecast Center.
“A storm system will be moving in from the west and is poised to reach the Daytona Beach area by the early evening. The FOX Forecast Center is tracking mostly cloudy skies with highs in the upper 70s for the duration of the race. However, should the race run long, light to moderate rain will begin to move in starting around 6 p.m. ET. A few lightning strikes will be possible around the race track, but not until after 8 p.m. ET.”
– FOX Forecast Center
History of Rain Delays at Daytona
Rain delays are not a new challenge for this race. In the previous Daytona 500 season, weather disruptions extended the event by over three and a half hours before William Byron was finally declared the winner. Not only does precipitation create delays, but it can contribute to additional caution periods and challenging track conditions for drivers, teams, and officials.
Rain in the 2026 NASCAR Season
The current NASCAR season has already seen its share of weather-related complications. The preseason exhibition race, the Clash at Bowman Gray in North Carolina, stretched over three and a half hours and featured 17 caution flags, making for a chaotic spectacle on a rain-soaked circuit. These earlier incidents underscore how weather can shape both strategy and outcomes in NASCAR Cup Series events.
Race Officials Remain Hopeful
Despite looming rain threats, NASCAR hopes that the earlier start time will ensure the 2026 Daytona 500 proceeds smoothly and without significant delays. Track officials, teams, and fans will continue to monitor forecasts closely as the race approaches, aware that weather can remain a deciding factor until the checkered flag flies.
The Daytona 500 Cup Series forecast will remain a central topic for this season opener, reinforcing how weather continues to play a pivotal role in motorsports across Florida and at storied venues like Daytona International Speedway.
