NASCAR at Daytona weather updates: Rain pushes Coke Zero Sugar 400 to Sunday

There was plenty of chaos in last year’s Coke Zero Sugar 400. Rain has already ensured there will be plenty of chaos in this year’s edition of the race.

The final NASCAR Cup Series race of the regular season has been pushed back from 7:46 p.m. ET on Saturday to 10:05 a.m. ET on Sunday because at rain. Rain is also in the forecast for Sunday morning, but NASCAR would have all day to get the race in.

MORE: Starting order, pole for the Coke Zero Sugar 400

Two spots remain open in the NASCAR Cup Series playoff field, and this race will determine who will compete in the Round of 16. Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. are the only two drivers who can reach the playoffs based on points, but several other drivers could clinch a spot in the playoffs by winning the race.

The Sporting News will have weather updates for the Daytona race until the green flag is waved.

MORE: How Ryan Blaney, Martin Truex Jr. and other drivers can make the playoffs

NASCAR at Daytona weather updates

(All times Eastern)

Aug. 27

8:10 p.m.: The race will not be held tonight. Instead, it will start at 10:05 a.m. ET on Sunday.

8:06 p.m.: The Weather Channel says rain is going to be in the Daytona Beach area until at least midnight, and the radar over the area does not look promising.

7:56 p.m.: Pockrass is speculating the weather will need to clear by 8:30 p.m. ET in order for the race to have a chance at getting underway tonight.

Still raining all the way around the track. Would think it needs to break up in next 45 minutes to likely have a shot at racing tonight. pic.twitter.com/LZUVboO1o7

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2022

7:21 p.m.: Not a great sign.

Nascar is parking all its drying equipment as rain has picked up.

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2022

7:17 p.m.: Pockrass now reporting the race is “at least a couple of hours from getting started.”

NBC will delay its Daytona coverage (it is raining here and at least a couple of hours from getting started) 👇 https://t.co/GaeiGDMxx4

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2022

7:06 p.m.: Rain has picked up, and the drying equipment is going to be refueled, per Pockrass. NBC announced it will begin its coverage of the race at 7:30 p.m. ET due to weather delays at the Tour Championship. 

Light rain. No ETA yet. pic.twitter.com/OufyG7Go4v

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2022

6:44 p.m.: Cars are starting to get prepared for the race.

Not raining in the garage area at the moment. Teams are just about getting access to cars to start heating fluids and getting cars ready to race. pic.twitter.com/M61B8Pv1aL

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2022

6:06 p.m.: Pockrass is reporting NASCAR is going to begin the process of drying the track, but he still expects a delayed start to the race.

Sounds like NASCAR will be starting to dry track as cell has weakened. Wouldn’t expect an on-time start but still too early to tell when it will start. pic.twitter.com/a8ZkUIxaOs

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2022

5:28 p.m.: There is some rain at Daytona Beach, and Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass is reporting that teams have not begun pre-race adjustments. He indicated it is unlikely the race will start on time tonight.

Still a steady rain that is weakening but still too heavy to start drying track. Teams still haven’t started work on prerace adjustments. Likely would be tough to have an on-time start tonight. Need it to clear in the next three hours to likely have a chance to race tonight. pic.twitter.com/w9mPmCWtkR

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 27, 2022

Daytona weather forecast

The Weather Channel

• Chance of rain (Saturday): 100 percent
• Chance of rain (Sunday): 58 percent

National Weather Service

• Chance of rain (Saturday): “Showers and possibly a thunderstorm before 11pm, then a chance of showers and thunderstorms, mainly between 11pm and 2am. Low around 75. Southeast wind around 5 mph becoming calm in the evening. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New rainfall amounts between a quarter and half of an inch possible.”
• Chance of rain (Sunday): “Showers and thunderstorms likely, mainly after 2pm. Mostly sunny, with a high near 88. Light and variable wind becoming east southeast 5 to 10 mph in the morning. Chance of precipitation is 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.”

What time does the NASCAR race at Daytona start?

• Start time: 10:05 a.m. ET

The final race of the regular season was scheduled to begin at 7 p.m. ET, but with the rain, it has been pushed back to 10 a.m. ET on Sunday, with the green flag expected to be waved at 10:05 a.m. ET.

What channel is the NASCAR race on Sunday?

• TV channel: CNBC (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
• Live stream: Peacock, fuboTV
• Radio: MRN

NASCAR will be on CNBC for the final week of the Cup Series regular season, while Canadian viewers can find the race on TSN5.

Rick Allen will lead the coverage on NBC as the lap-by-lap announcer, with Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte providing analysis. Marty Snider, Dave Burns and Parker Kligerman will be the broadcast’s pit reporters.

Those hoping to stream the race can find it on Peacock or on fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

NASCAR Cup Series schedule 2022

NASCAR schedule 2022: Playoff races

(All times Eastern)

In Canada, fans can watch all NASCAR races on TSN.