NASCAR at Daytona weather updates: Will rain delay Coke Zero Sugar 400?

There was plenty of chaos in last year’s Coke Zero Sugar 400. Rain is threatening to bring chaos before the green flag is waved in this year’s race.

As NASCAR prepares for its Cup Series regular-season finale, the weather forecast shows that rain is likely to arrive in Daytona Beach, Fla., before the start of the race. If it rains, it could take more than two hours after the rain ends for the track to be dried and pit back into racing condition.

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

Given the stakes of the race, NASCAR is likely to delay the event for as long as needed. It could also postpone the race to Sunday if conditions don’t allow the race to take place Saturday night. But with rainy weather forecast for Sunday as well, it is not a situation in which NASCAR hopes to be.

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

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

NASCAR at Daytona weather updates

(All times Eastern)

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?

The final race of the regular season is listed to begin at 7 p.m. ET, but with pre-race ceremonies, the green flag is scheduled to be waved at 7:46 p.m. ET, assuming no weather delays.

What channel is the NASCAR race on today?

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

NASCAR will be on NBC 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.