Daytona 500: NASCAR moves starting time amid weather threat

NASCAR announced Friday that the start time for Sunday’s 67th running of the Daytona 500 has been moved up to 1:30 p.m. ET. Green Flag was originally scheduled for 2:30 p.m. but has been moved up an hour due to the threat of rain in the forecast.

In its forecast for Sunday in Daytona, The Weather Channel says, “Partly cloudy skies during the morning hours will give way to occasional showers in the afternoon. High 83F. Winds SW at 15 to 25 mph. Chance of rain 50%. Higher wind gusts possible.”

NEWS: The start time for the #DAYTONA500 has been moved up to 1:30 p.m. ET on Sunday.

Watch The Great American Race on FOX or listen on @MRNRadio and @SiriusXMNASCAR Radio. pic.twitter.com/Mk2UE2MrOM

— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 14, 2025

The forecast at night calls for the following: “Evening clouds will give way to clearing. Low 51F. Winds WNW at 5 to 10 mph.” There is currently a 24% of rain. This wouldn’t be the first time weather has impacted NASCAR’s biggest race of the season. In 2024, the Daytona 500 was pushed back a day after rain washed out any chance of the race happening Sunday.

Daytona 500 announces ‘enhanced security measures,’ expects President Donald Trump to attend

Additionally, there will be “enhanced security measures” in place, according to Jeff Gluck of The Athletic, which alludes to some confirmation that President Donald Trump will be in attendance. Nothing has been officially announced from Trump’s side thus far.

“NASCAR announces the start time of the Daytona 500 has been moved to 1:30 pm ET. Also says ‘enhanced security measures’ will be in place,” Gluck posted on X. “Expecting President Trump to attend, though that has not been officially confirmed.”

This wouldn’t be the first time Trump attends the Great American Race as president. He previously served as the Grand Marshal for the event in 2020 during his first term the leader of the United States.

This year’s Daytona 500 sees Chase Briscoe on the pole. Briscoe, making his first Cup Series start driving the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, came out on top in Wednesday’s qualifying session.

“Yeah, I mean, truthfully, I didn’t really do a whole lot today. Like I said, I was just kind of the lucky one that got to drive the car,” Briscoe said. “I mean, still from a confidence standpoint, the team, I did still have to execute a little bit. So, I guess it’s good I didn’t screw anything up today. There’s a lot of little things you have to do inside the car to qualify, just hit all your shifts right, leave pit road right. There was stuff from that standpoint.”

On3’s Steve Samra contributed to this article.