Daytona 500 start time today: NASCAR moves the green earlier as storms threaten, with Cup season opener set for Sunday, Feb. 15, 2026

The Daytona 500 is scheduled for today, Sunday, February 15, 2026 (ET), and NASCAR has moved the start time up by one hour because of weather concerns in the Daytona Beach area. The goal is simple: start earlier, race ahead of worsening conditions, and reduce the risk of delays or a shortened event.

For fans asking “NASCAR race today” or “Daytona 500 start time,” here’s the clean, up-to-date rundown in Eastern Time.

Daytona 500 date and start time (ET)

• Event: Daytona 500 (NASCAR Cup Series)

• Date: Sunday, February 15, 2026

• Start time: 1:30 p.m. ET (earlier than originally planned)

• Approximate green flag: 2:13 p.m. ET

NASCAR schedule this weekend at Daytona (ET)

If you’re also tracking “Xfinity race today” or “ARCA race,” those were on Saturday. The key Daytona weekend events:

Saturday, February 14, 2026

• ARCA Menards Series race: 12:00 p.m. ET

• NASCAR Xfinity Series race (United Rentals 300): 5:00 p.m. ET

Sunday, February 15, 2026

• NASCAR Cup Series (Daytona 500): 1:30 p.m. ET (green flag approx. 2:13 p.m. ET)

What’s behind the start-time change: why NASCAR is acting now

This is a classic Daytona problem: Florida weather plus a long, high-stakes race equals scheduling vulnerability.

NASCAR’s incentives are practical and financial:

• Finish under green if possible. A late start increases the odds the race runs into heavier rain chances later in the afternoon.

• Protect the broadcast window. A long rain delay can push the race into awkward time slots, reduce audience, and complicate coverage.

• Reduce the “Monday finish” risk. When the 500 slides a day, it hits attendance, travel plans, and weekday viewing.

For teams, an earlier start matters too: it changes the rhythm of prep, pit strategy expectations (especially if weather could interrupt stages), and the calculus around aggressive moves early versus “survive and advance” patience.

What to expect today: a Daytona 500 shaped by uncertainty

Even if the sky cooperates, weather threat changes how the race feels:

• More urgency earlier. Drivers may push harder to lock in track position in case the race gets interrupted.

• Pit calls get sharper. Crew chiefs think in terms of “windows” — when can we get track position or points if the race is suddenly called?

• Drafting chaos rises. Daytona’s pack racing already produces big swings; add weather pressure and the risk tolerance often shifts.

Quick answers to common searches

• “NASCAR race today”: Yes — the Daytona 500 is today (Sunday).

• “Daytona 500 date”: Feb. 15, 2026 (ET).

• “Daytona 500 start time”: 1:30 p.m. ET (moved earlier).

• “Xfinity race today”: No — the Daytona Xfinity race was Saturday at 5:00 p.m. ET.

• “ARCA race”: The Daytona ARCA race was Saturday at 12:00 p.m. ET.

What happens next: realistic scenarios and triggers

1. Clean run to the finish
   Trigger: weather holds off through the late-afternoon window.

2. Long red-flag delay, then a sprint
   Trigger: a rain band passes but clears with enough daylight to restart.

3. Shortened race
   Trigger: persistent rain after the event is underway, preventing safe track drying in time.

4. Monday completion
   Trigger: repeated stoppages that push the remaining distance beyond Sunday’s workable window.

If you tell me whether you’re following Cup only or also want the full Daytona Speedweeks slate, I can list the next two race weekends on the 2026 NASCAR schedule in Eastern Time as well.