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'Crazy' Weather Hits Daytona International Speedway Before Sunday

Originally posted on The Spun | By Andrew Gould | Last updated Feb 13, 2025 7:04 PM ET

As long as Mother Nature cooperates, the 2025 NASCAR season will open this Sunday with the Daytona 500.

After riding an unlikely playoff push, Joey Logano will begin his Cup Series title defense in the season's first official race. Meanwhile, William Byron aims to join Denny Hamlin as the second back-to-back Daytona 500 champion of the 21st century.

Luckily for everyone involved, "The Great American Race" doesn't take place on Thursday. It's not a great day to go to the race track.

TV photographer Chris Weaver shared footage of the weather at Daytona International Speedway late Thursday afternoon. Heavy rain with gusting winds had spectators seeking cover.

NASCAR has canceled ARCA Menards Series and Truck Series practices. The first Cup Series duel remains scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.

Crazy weather at @DAYTONA International Speedway as a strong storm moves thru with extremely high winds and heavy rain, sending umbrellas flying and fans scrambling! pic.twitter.com/cptIrnUs3q
— Chris Weaver (@chris8video) February 13, 2025

Earlier forecasts foreshadowed problems for the Daytona 500. On Wednesday, ESPN's Ryan McGee posted a screenshot of a weather report that called for a 40-60 percent chance of rain from 1 p.m. - 6 p.m. local time in Daytona.

However, FOX 35 meteorologist Noah Bergren responded with a more optimistic outlook.

"We will be fine. Race will occur Sunday," Bergren predicted. "Just a fast moving line of showers. Chance the showers totally break up before hitting Daytona Beach. Will get windy and cloudy though. If anything a brief rain delay [in the] second half of the race."

Conditions still could be unpleasant. AccuWeather forecasts a 65 percent chance of rain with 43 mph wind gusts on Sunday afternoon. Its weather report noted that "a delay or postponement of the race due to rain cannot be ruled out."

DAYTONA BEACH, FLORIDA - FEBRUARY 19: Rain falls prior to the NASCAR Camping World Truck Series BrakeBest Brake Pads 159 At Daytona Presented by O'Reilly at Daytona International Speedway on February 19, 2021 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images)Chris Graythen/Getty Images

David Nazario of WKMG-TV also warned of potential weather complications on Sunday.

"With a slower-moving front, we'll see a longer lasting bout of heavier rainfall, which could halt the race entirely and postpone for the very next day," Nazario wrote on Thursday. "While this doesn't seem to be the most likely outcome as it stands now, it's still a doable solution."

Barring any delays, the Daytona 500 is scheduled to start at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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