DAYTONA BEACH — Twenty-four hours remain before the Daytona 500.
Or at least, that’s the hope.
Rain threats loom over Daytona International Speedway for Saturday’s Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 and Sunday’s Cup Series opener. Right now, we’re dry. Just overcast, with 63-degree temperatures.
But the National Weather Service lists the chance of rain this afternoon at 80%. That bumps up to 100% into tonight.
Xfinity qualifying started at 1:30 p.m., and the ensuing race was pushed from 5 p.m. up to 4:30 p.m.
Sunday offers a 90% chance of rain, with between 1 and 2 inches possible. No changes to the Great American Race schedule have been made yet.
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Here’s the daily weather forecast for Daytona 500, NASCAR Speedweek races, according to the National Weather Service
Saturday afternoon: Rain. North wind around 10 miles per hour. Chance of precipitation is 80%. New precipitation amounts between a tenth and quarter of an inch.
Sunday: Rain before 8 a.m., then showers after 8 a.m. The rain could be heavy at times. High temperature near 61. North wind ranging from 10 to 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph. Chance of precipitation is 90%. New precipitation predictions between 1 and 2 inches.
Monday: A 30% chance of showers, mainly before 8 a.m. Partly sunny, with a high near 59. North wind around 15 mph, with gusts as high as 25 mph.
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Daytona 500 schedule: Here’s an updated look at Speedweek events
Saturday, Feb. 17: Xfinity Series qualifying, 1:30 p.m.; Xfinity Series, United Rentals 300, 4:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 18: 66th Daytona 500, 2:30 p.m.
