Even before Daytona Day officially arrived, Mother Nature was making her presence felt at the Daytona 500. With scattered thunderstorms expected Sunday in Daytona Beach, Florida, NASCAR preemptively moved the start time up by an hour to try to dodge a potential weather delay, a familiar challenge at Daytona International Speedway. However, another issue of wildfires has become far more glaring.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
According to reports, multiple wildfires ignited in areas surrounding the speedway.
One blaze flared up near Turns 1 and 2, while another broke out behind the backstretch, sending visible smoke drifting across portions of the 2.5-mile oval.
The situation escalated after a tractor-trailer jackknifed on I-95 just south of Daytona, sparking a brushfire that forced the shutdown of both northbound and southbound lanes.
Smoke from the incident became noticeable near Turn 2, adding an eerie backdrop to race day preparations.
Complicating matters further, Volusia County remains under a wind advisory with gusts topping 30 mph, conditions that can fuel and spread flames quickly. For now, officials indicate the files do not pose a direct threat to the start and that no one was harmed just yet.
A small fire has broken out near the speedway and the smoke has quickly blown over the track due to high winds. pic.twitter.com/XcUAu7t8LZ
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 15, 2026
According to FOX Weather, the forecast calls for a 40% chance of rain around 6 pm ET, climbing to a full 100% by 7 pm ET. Race day conditions are shaping up with a high near 80°F, a low around 59°F, gusty winds up to 40 mph, and sunset at 6:30 pm ET.
Thankfully, the iconic Daytona track is equipped with lights, ensuring the race can continue even after dark. The weather has played a pivotal role at Daytona before.
Rain has also already shaken up the 2026 NASCAR season; the preseason Clash at Bowman Gray in North Carolina took 3 1/2 hours to complete, featuring 17 caution flags and treacherous wet track racing.
And as if that weren’t enough uncertainty, rain and scattered thunderstorms are looming in the forecast, creating yet another layer of unpredictability for the Great American Race. But this isn’t Daytona’s first rodeo with rain-stricken racing.
Can William Byron win a third consecutive wet Daytona 500 race?
William Byron will aim to make history as the first driver ever to win the Daytona 500 three years in a row when the 68th running of the Great American Race kicks off the 2026 NASCAR season.
Last year’s 500 faced rain delays totalling over 3 1/2 hours before William Byron ultimately secured a dramatic overtime victory after race leader Denny Hamlin spun on the final lap, triggering a multi-car wreck.
Byron carefully navigated through the chaos, passing eight cars on the last circuit to claim victory lane once again. Meanwhile, veteran Kyle Busch captured his first Daytona 500 pole on Wednesday, earning the No. 1 starting spot.
As he prepares for his 21st date on a 500, Busch is eager to snap the longest active winless streak in the garage and make a statement in the NASCAR season-opening showdown. So may the best man win.
Related Newsletters
