Daytona International Speedway -
NASCAR RaceWeather Forecast
1 PM ET @Daytona weather outlook - 87°F, feels like 97°F. Southerly winds, 7 mph
Storms 45-50 miles SW of track, moving NE at 20-25 mph. Will monitor for 3 PM (-ish) arrival, just in time for NOAPS Q’s.
Chc of showers & t-storms, 40% FRI, 20% SAT Start of race temps - near 80°F
The Daytona race weekend will feature seasonably hot and humid conditions with the primary weather concern centered on afternoon and evening thunderstorms. A weak pattern over Florida will allow the Atlantic sea breeze to develop each afternoon, with scattered storms initially developing near the coast before becoming increasingly focused inland.
For Friday, a 40–60% chance of rain across the Daytona area. Storms capable of frequent lightning, locally heavy rainfall and wind gusts up to 55 mph possible. This could make the 5:00 PM Cup qualifying and 7:30 PM O’Reilly Series race the primary weather-sensitive periods. Severe weather is not currently anticipated, but lightning and brief strong wind gusts could produce track delays.
Conditions should become somewhat more favorable for Saturday’s 7:30 PM Cup Series race as deeper onshore winds pushes the sea breeze further inland more quickly, shifting the greatest afternoon thunderstorm coverage toward interior Florida. However, scattered showers or thunderstorms remain possible around Daytona, so a completely dry race window cannot yet be assumed.
Temperatures will remain in the upper 80s near the coast, with very humid conditions and heat indices potentially around 100°F or higher during the afternoon.
NASCAR Forecast Discussion
2026 Coke Zero Race Weekend
Friday, August 28
3:00–4:30 PM — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Qualifying
5:00–6:30 PM — NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying
6:50 PM — O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Driver Introductions
7:40 PM Green Flag — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race - 100 laps / 250 miles
Saturday, August 29
6:20 PM — NASCAR Cup Series Drivers Meeting
6:50 PM — NASCAR Cup Series Driver Introductions
7:47 PM Green Flag — NASCAR Cup Series Race - 160 laps / 400 miles
More about Daytona International Speedway
The history of Daytona International Speedway began in 1953 when Bill France Sr. realized the days of racing on the beach were numbered due to spreading land usage of a rapidly growing population and huge race crowds. France put his plans for the future of racing in Daytona Beach, Florida in motion on April 4, 1953 with a proposal to construct a permanent speedway facility. On August 16, 1954, France signed a contract with City of Daytona Beach and Volusia County officials to build what would become Daytona International Speedway, the “World Center of Racing.” In 1957, land clearing began for the Speedway. The famous 31-degree high banks were included in the design of the track so higher speeds could be achieved and to make it easier for fans to see the cars race around the 2.5-mile tri-oval. The dirt for the banking was taken from the infield and resulted in a 29-acre space that is known as Lake Lloyd.
Racing moved from the beach-road course to Daytona International Speedway in 1959 and the first DAYTONA 500 took place on February 22 in front of a crowd of over 41,000. Car entries included both hard tops and convertibles (it was the only Daytona 500 that included convertibles). The finish of the inaugural DAYTONA 500 was too close to call. Johnny Beauchamp went to Victory Lane, but 61 hours later Lee Petty was declared the official winner after a clip of newsreel footage showed that Petty nipped Beauchamp at the line by approximately two feet.
In 1961, the Daytona 200 motorcycle race was moved from the beach to the Speedway. The following year, DIS hosted the inaugural running of what is now known as the Rolex 24 At Daytona, North America’s most prestigious sports car race. The race was initially a three-hour race and became the 24-hour race we know it as today in 1966.
On July 5, 2013, ground broke on the $400 million Daytona Rising frontstretch renovation project that would transform the historic speedway into a state-of-the-art motorsports facility. The Speedway now has approximately 101,500 permanent, wider and more comfortable seats, 40 escalators, 17 elevators, twice as many restrooms, three times as many concession stands and three concourse levels that span the nearly mile-long frontstretch. In addition, the Speedway features over 60 luxury suites with trackside views and a completely revamped hospitality experience for corporate guests. The projected was completed in January 2016 and was awarded the SportsBusiness Journal’s prestigious Sports Business Award for Sports Facility of the Year.
The approximately 500-acre motorsports complex boasts the most diverse schedule of racing on the globe. In addition to at least nine major event weekends, the Speedway grounds are also used extensively for events that include concerts, civic and social gatherings, car shows, photo shoots, production vehicle testing and police motorcycle training. In addition, Daytona International Speedway showcases daily track tours and is home to the champion DAYTONA 500 car and the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America.
To learn about sponsorship opportunities in NASCAR at Daytona International Speedway, visit EC Sports Management. Click here to contact their sales team.