There's one question moving like a tornado to Daytona International Speedway: Will it rain at the Daytona 500?
The weather forecast has been monitored by NASCAR fans since last week as it looked like the great American race would see a rainstorm that would last all weekend. The forecast has changed a bit over the course of Speedweek, but one thing remains clear: it's a good idea to bring an umbrella if you're heading to the speedway on Saturday and Sunday.
It's also a good idea to know what NASCAR's ticket exchange plan is in the event of rain for the Daytona 500 — or the ARCA and Xfinity Series races on Saturday. Here's what we know:
What is the latest weather forecast for the Daytona 500?
Thursday's forecast model update now calls for a 70% chance of daytime rain on Saturday, increasing to a 90% chance of rain Saturday night into Sunday morning in Daytona Beach, according to meteorologists with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
For Sunday's 2:30 p.m. Daytona 500, rain chances have dropped from 70% earlier this week to 50%, according to the expanded NWS forecast.
Scattered rain is still possible throughout the day, said Collie Fehling, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Melbourne.
“On Sunday, there is a better chance of getting some respite from the rain compared to Saturday, when the rain will be moderate to persistently heavy,” he said.
What is the weather forecast for Saturday's NASCAR races at Daytona?
Thursday's forecast doesn't bode well for a full slate of Saturday races that includes final Cup Series practice at 10:30 a.m., Xfinity Series qualifying at 11:30 a.m., the Daytona ARCA 200 at 1:30 p.m. and the Xfinity Series race. 5 pm
“On Saturday, 1 to 3 inches of rain is expected, with more than 3 inches possible as we see repeated rounds of heavy rain,” Fehling said. “In addition, rain could bring gusty winds of up to 40 mph after 4pm Saturday afternoon.”
Daytona Beach weather radar
What happens if it rains at the Daytona 500? Does the Daytona 500 run in the rain?
If it rains at Daytona, the race stops. Car tires have no tread and move too quickly to maintain grip on the track if it is slick. The race will also be stopped for 30 minutes if lightning strikes within an eight-mile radius. Another 30 minutes are added with each lightning strike within that distance.
Why does Nascar stop because of rain?
The tires that cars use have no tread, so there is nothing to grip on the track if conditions are a little slippery. This is the same reason why some high-speed roller coasters don't run even if it's raining: the slightest slip can lead to disaster.
How does the Daytona 500 dry the track in the rain? Look at the Titans of the Air
In the past, NASCAR has used jet dryers to clear the rain track. They were being pulled by trucks, they were a bit clunky, and they were loud.
But in 2013, NASCAR introduced Air Titans, air compression systems built into pickup trucks that get the job done in half the time. The Air Titans blow water off the track at Daytona International Speedway, with a broom truck following to suck up what's left.
How long does it take to dry the track in the Daytona 500?
How long it takes to dry a track depends on a number of factors, from track composition to weather conditions: humidity, cloud cover, wind, etc. The Air Titans can dry the 2.5-mile track at Daytona International Speedway in 90-150 minutes, but in decent conditions it can be done in about an hour.
How long will the Daytona 500 be delayed? What time can a nascar race start?
NASCAR typically doesn't like racing after midnight, so if it looks like the race won't end until 1 a.m., the Daytona 500 will likely have to be postponed.
The 2012 Daytona 500 was postponed to Monday night due to rain, with crash-related delays forcing a finish after midnight on Tuesday.
The 2021 Daytona 500 saw the longest delay which continued to end on that day. The start of the race was delayed for five hours before it finally started around 9:30 p.m. The race ended shortly after midnight with Michael McDowell winning a late night thriller.
Does NASCAR refund rain tickets?
somewhat. If the race is postponed, the NASCAR Weather Protection Program allows fans to exchange any unused grandstand ticket for a future race in the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series and Craftsman Truck Series elsewhere. Ticket holders have 60 days after the event is rescheduled to contact the ticket office and exchange their tickets.
Fans looking to exchange their tickets after a delay can contact Daytona International Speedway at 1-877-306-7223 or through their website.
There are no cash refunds. If the race is postponed to later Sunday rather than another day, ticket exchanges will not be eligible.
What tracks are in the NASCAR rain package?
If the Daytona 500 is postponed, fans can redeem their unused tickets for this season's race at one of the following tracks:
- Darlington, South Carolina
- Daytona (either Coke Zero Sugar 400 in August or 2025 Daytona 500)
- Homestead-Miami, Florida
- Kansas (Kansas City)
- Martinsville (Ridgeway, Virginia)
- Michigan (Brooklyn)
- Chicago (street racing)
- Phoenix (except NASCAR Cup Series Championship)
- Richmond, Virginia
- Talladega, Alabama
- Watkins Glen, New York
Has rain ever postponed the Daytona 500?
Rain has played a role in the Great American Race over the years.
- 1965-66, 2003, 2009: The races were shortened due to rain.
- 2012: The race was postponed from Sunday afternoon to Monday night due to rain and ended after midnight Tuesday.
- 2020: The race started on Sunday but was postponed shortly after due to rain. It resumed and ended on Monday evening.
- 2021: The race was run on Sunday but ended after midnight on Monday.
Rain also affected Saturday's Speedweek races. The 1981 and 2004 Xfinity Series races were rained out and moved to Monday rather than interfering with the big show on Sunday.
What is the longest rain delay for the Daytona 500? What is the longest rain delay in nascar?
The 2012 Daytona 500 started on the usual Sunday but was quickly postponed to Monday night due to rain. It ended just after midnight on Tuesday, making it the only Great American Race to be held over three days.
The 2021 Daytona 500 started on Sunday afternoon and was delayed for five hours before finally ending just after midnight.
The longest weather delay in NASCAR history came on March 11, 1973, at Bristol Motor Speedway, when racing was halted and then resumed two weeks later.
When is the Daytona 500?
The 2024 Daytona 500 is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 18. The race will be broadcast on Fox. Mike Joy will be the lead announcer, with Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick as analysts from the booth, Larry McReynolds and Michael Waltrip will contribute, and Jimmy Little, Regan Smith and Josh Sims will report from pit road.
Streaming options include fuboTV, which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.
What is the Daytona 500 schedule?
Thursday
- 4:05-4:55 PM: ARCA Menards practice series
- 5:05-5:55: Craftsman truck series practice
- 7 pm: Nascar Cup Series, Bluegreen Vacations Duel 1
- 8:45 (approx): Nascar Cup Series, Bluegreen Vacations 2 Duel
The duels at Daytona can be watched on FS1 (channel 219 on DirecTV, channel 150 on Dish).
Friday
- 1:30 PM: ARCA Menards Series Playoffs
- 3 pm: Craftsman Truck Series Qualifiers
- 4:35-5:25 PM: Xfinity Series practice
- 5:35-6:25 PM: Cup chain practice
- 7:30 PM: Nascar Craftsman Truck Series, fresh from the Florida 250
The NASCAR Truck Series race can be seen on FS1.
Saturday
10:30-11:20 AM: Final training for the Cup Series
11:30 AM: Xfinity Series Playoffs
1:30 PM: Arca Minards Series, Daytona Arca 200
5 am: Nascar Xfinity Series, United Rentals 300
ARCA and Xfinity Series races can be watched on FS1.
Sunday
- 2:30 pm: NASCAR Cup Series, Daytona 500
The Daytona 500 can be seen on Fox.
