The start time of Sunday’s Daytona 500 has been moved up one hour, NASCAR announced on Friday. The race was originally scheduled for 2:30 pm on Sunday afternoon, but will now start at 1:30 pm instead. The decision was made in anticipation of potential rain that could jeopardize the latter portion of the race.
Those attending the race will now be able to enter through the gates and access the hospitality area at 9:00 am. The Hard Rock Bet Fanzone opens at 8:30 am. The scheduled pre-race concert by hip hop artist Pitbull and the flyover by the U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds are still on track.
Also affecting Sunday’s race logistics is the expected arrival of President Donald Trump, visiting Daytona International Speedway for the first time since February 2020. Trump’s visit will bring heightened security for fans, drivers, crew members, personnel, and business partners alike.
Trump’s presence at Daytona will continue a unique tour of major sporting events in the United States, with him having attended the Super Bowl in New Orleans on February 9th. Capping off the celebrity visitors is the race’s grand marshal Anthony Mackie, star of the upcoming film Captain America: Brave New World.
Chris Gollon is a Flagler County resident since 2004, as well as a staple of the local independent music scene and avid observer of Central Florida politics, arts, and recreation.
TR
February 14, 2025 at 2:32 pm
Well this is not going to make some people happy. I’m talking about the people that are cutting it close by flying into town and then going right to the track and watch the race. If they planned on arriving at the airport at lets say 1pm that would give them an hour and a half before the race started, provided their plane was on time or a little cushion if the plane was late. But now there is no way they could make it to the track before the start of the race. Bad idea for nascar to make this change at the last minute.