It didn’t take long for a rain delay to hit the 2025 Daytona 500.
As the drivers were about to finish lap 8 of 200, the caution flag flew, leading to a stoppage at lap 11.
Rain at the Daytona 500 is nothing new: Last year’s NASCAR season-opener was pushed back to Monday because of bad weather. And while other NASCAR tracks can run in the rain, Daytona International Speedway is a different beast. Here’s why:
What happens if it rains for the Daytona 500? Does the Daytona 500 run in the rain?
If it rains at Daytona, the racing stops. The car’s tires don’t have treads and go too fast to keep their grip on the track if it’s slick. The race also would stop for 30 minutes if lightning strikes within an 8-mile radius. Another 30 minutes is added with each lightning strike within that distance.
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Will NASCAR drive in the rain?
NASCAR Superspeedway races do not continue through rain. The tires on stock cars for these types races don’t have treads, so there’s nothing to grip the track if conditions are even a little slippery. It’s the same reason some high-speed roller coasters won’t run even if it’s just drizzling: The slightest slip could spell disaster.
How does Daytona 500 dry the track in rain? Look to Air Titans
Back in the day, NASCAR used jet dryers to clear the track of rain. They were pulled by trucks, they were a bit clunky, and they were loud.
But in 2013, NASCAR introduced the Air Titans, air-compression systems that are embedded in pickup trucks that get the job done in half the time. The Air Titans blow water off the track at Daytona International Speedway, and a vacuum/sweeper truck follows behind to suck up what’s left.
How long does it take to dry the track at the Daytona 500?
How long it takes to dry a track depends on a number of factors, from the makeup of the track to the climate conditions: humidity, cloud cover, wind, etc. The Air Titans can dry the 2.5-mile track at Daytona International Speedway in 90-150 minutes, but in decent conditions it could be done in about an hour.
How to watch Daytona 500: TV schedule, streaming info
- Start time: 1:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel: Fox
- Live streaming: Fubo (free trial)
- Radio: MRN | SiriusXM (Channel 90)
Coverage of the 2025 Daytona 500 was scheduled to start at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, February 16 on Fox. Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick have the call from the booth at Daytona International Speedway. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Watch Daytona 500 live on Fubo (free trial)
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