URGENT: Daytona 500 Start Time Moved UP (Don’t Miss The Green Flag)

If you are planning to turn on the TV at the “usual” time, you are going to be late.

NASCAR officials aren’t taking any chances with the forecast today. With a line of severe storms targeting Daytona Beach later this afternoon, they have made the call to drop the green flag earlier than originally scheduled to ensure we get the full 500 miles in.

Here is the exact timeline you need to know so you don’t miss the biggest race of the year.

THE NEW START TIME (Confirmed)

Forget what your printed ticket or TV guide says. Here is the updated schedule straight from the track:

• Broadcast Starts: 1:30 PM ET (Moved from 2:30 PM)
• 🇺🇸 National Anthem: ~1:45 PM ET
• GREEN FLAG (Start of Race): 2:13 PM ET

Time Zone Conversion:

• Eastern: 2:13 PM
• Central: 1:13 PM
• Mountain: 12:13 PM
• Pacific: 11:13 AM

TV Channel & Streaming Info

No changes here, just the timing.

• TV Channel: FOX (Local station)
• Streaming: FOX Sports App (Requires TV login) or services like YouTube TV / Hulu Live.
• Radio: MRN / SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Ch. 90)

Will Rain End The Race Early?

This is the million-dollar question.

The updated forecast shows a window of dry weather until about 5:00 PM – 6:00 PM ET. A NASCAR race usually takes 3.5 hours to complete.

The “Official” Rule:
If rain stops the race after the halfway point (Lap 100) or the end of Stage 2, the race is official. If the leader is in front when the rain hits after that point, they are declared the winner.

With the 2:13 PM start, they are racing against the clock. Expect drivers to be aggressive early because they know lap 100 might be the real finish line today.