Daytona 500 Weather Update: Will Wind and Rain in Florida Delay NASCAR’s 2026

Jenny Lee February 16, 2026 | 05:57

NASCAR moved the 2026 Daytona 500 earlier as storms approach Florida. Latest NWS forecast, wind advisory, delay chances, updates today.

Will Daytona 500 be delayed due to wind, rain storm

With unsettled weather pushing into Central Florida, many NASCAR fans are asking the same question: will the Daytona 500 be delayed due to wind and rain? As of Sunday, February 15, 2026, NASCAR has not announced a full postponement, but organizers have already made a key change to reduce weather risk.

Daytona 500 start time moved earlier because of storm threat

NASCAR confirmed the Daytona 500 start time was moved up by one hour due to the threat of inclement weather around Daytona Beach. TV coverage is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. ET on FOX, with the green flag expected shortly after.

This adjustment is a common strategy at Daytona International Speedway: start earlier, get as many laps in as possible, and avoid the higher rain chances later in the day.

What the latest forecast says for Daytona Beach

The National Weather Service forecast for the Daytona Beach area shows a wind advisory in effect until 6:00 p.m. Sunday, with gusts up to around 30 mph. The same forecast also calls for showers and thunderstorms later Sunday evening, with a much higher chance of precipitation overnight.

Wind alone usually won’t delay a Cup race unless conditions become unsafe, but rain and lightning are the bigger issues. NASCAR cannot race on a wet track at Daytona, and lightning in the area typically triggers stoppages for safety.

So, will the Daytona 500 be delayed?

A delay is possible, but not guaranteed. Here’s the most realistic scenario based on what’s known now:

• Best case: The earlier start allows the race to run before heavier rain arrives.

• Most likely risk: Intermittent stoppages if showers or lightning move in during the afternoon or early evening.

• Worst case: If storms park over the speedway, NASCAR could push the remaining laps to Monday.

If the race does slip, the weather outlook improves into Monday, February 16, which is forecast to be cooler and partly sunny with less widespread rain risk compared with Sunday night.

What to watch for in the hours before green flag

If you’re tracking this like a crew chief, keep an eye on:

Lightning alerts near the speedway

Radar timing (whether storms arrive earlier than expected)

Wind gusts during restarts and on corner entry

NASCAR and broadcast partners typically post updates quickly if there’s a red flag, track-drying operations, or a schedule change.

Jenny Lee

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