Daytona 500 Weather Holds for Start; Byron to Start at Back, Kyle Busch on Pole
Race-day conditions at Daytona International Speedway are expected to be hot and windy but should remain dry long enough for the Daytona 500 to start, with more severe weather forecast to arrive after the checkered flag. Coverage of the 68th running begins at 12: 30 p. m. ET on Sunday, with a full 500-mile field set and a handful of major storylines to follow.
Forecast: hot, breezy and storms on the way after dark
Temperatures across the Daytona Beach area are forecast to reach the 80s on race day, with sustained south-southwest winds in the mid-20s mph. That wind will create a gusty environment on and off the track while sun and heat dominate the afternoon. A tornado watch is in effect until 8: 00 p. m. ET for several Northern and Central Florida counties, and the atmosphere becomes increasingly unstable after sunset.
The most organized surge of storms is expected to move into the region between 7: 00 p. m. and midnight ET, after most on-track activity will have concluded. The primary hazards with that line of storms will be damaging straight-line winds, heavy rain and frequent lightning, with a marginal chance that an isolated tornado could form. Gusts in severe storms could reach 45–55 mph, with isolated peaks near 60 mph, raising the potential for travel impacts for teams, fans and crews leaving the speedway.
Trackside conditions during the afternoon should allow the race to proceed, but teams and attendees should plan for rapidly changing conditions later in the evening, including the possibility of travel delays and debris from wind-driven storms.
Starting grid and storylines: Byron at the back, Busch on pole
William Byron, the winner of the last two editions of the race, will begin this year’s Daytona 500 from the back of the field. If he is able to move forward and win again, he would become the first driver to claim three consecutive Daytona 500 victories in the event’s long history.
Kyle Busch earned the pole for the 500, edging out his nearest rival by just 0. 016 seconds in qualifying. That razor-thin margin sets up a high-stakes opening laps at Daytona, where starting position matters but drafting and pit strategy often decide the outcome. The 500-mile main event has been held annually since 1959 and remains one of the most unpredictable races on the calendar.
Beyond Byron’s bid for a rare third straight win, eyes will be on surviving attrition and managing pit cycles as the evening threat of strong storms approaches. Teams will also factor gusty afternoon winds into setups and drafting plans — conditions that can change the aerodynamic balance of the superspeedway cars.
What fans at the track should know
Fans heading to the speedway should prepare for hot, windy conditions during the day and make contingency plans for severe weather after sunset. Bring sun protection, stay hydrated and secure loose items that might blow away in strong gusts. Expect longer exits and potential delays for travel and lodging once the line of storms arrives after the race.
With coverage beginning at 12: 30 p. m. ET and the race stretching into the afternoon, most on-track activity should be complete before the most severe weather moves in. Still, teams and spectators are advised to monitor weather updates and be prepared to shelter if conditions deteriorate later in the evening.
