NASCAR Advances Daytona 500 Start Time Amid Rain Forecast
NASCAR has made a strategic decision to change the start time for the Daytona 500 due to impending rain forecasts. The league announced that the race will now commence at 1:30 p.m. ET, with the green flag scheduled for 2:13 p.m., one hour earlier than its original timing.
Reasons for Adjusting the Daytona 500 Start Time
This adjustment is primarily aimed at avoiding potential delays that could hinder the completion of the race. Heavy rain is anticipated in the Daytona Beach area later in the evening. By starting earlier, NASCAR aims to ensure the full 500-mile, 200-lap event can be completed.
Broadcast Information
- The Daytona 500 will be televised by Fox.
- Radio coverage will be provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
This year marks the second consecutive occasion where changes to the Daytona 500 start time have been made due to weather conditions, continuing a concerning trend. In previous years, races have faced rescheduling: in 2020 and 2024, the race was moved from Sunday to Monday, while the 2021 event concluded late on Sunday evening after significant delays.
Key Competitors and Records in the Race
William Byron enters the race as the two-time defending champion. A win this year would set a record for consecutive victories in the Daytona 500. Additionally, Kyle Busch starts on the pole position following a strong qualifying performance, aiming to break a streak of 20 attempts without a win at Daytona.
