Will Mother Nature let NASCAR Cup Series drivers kick off a new season?
The threat of inclement weather will loom over the 2021 Daytona 500 on Sunday, as there is rain on the radar in Daytona Beach, Fla. The big question is whether the precipitation will fall over Daytona International Speedway and lead to delays. NASCAR fans are certainly keeping their fingers crossed for a clean race.
Sporting News is tracking live updates and lap-by-lap highlights from the Daytona 500. Follow below for complete results from NASCAR’s 2021 season-opening race.
MORE: Watch the Daytona 500 live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Daytona 500 live updates, highlights from 2021 race
(All times Eastern)
4:10 p.m. — So, uh, this isn’t ideal.
3:55 p.m. — After just 15 laps, the Air Titans are out with the Daytona 500 under a red flag. Kevin Harvick is the current leader.
3:40 p.m. — Here’s a full list of the drivers involved in the crash on Lap 14, per the FOX broadcast: Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman, Tyler Reddick, Aric Almirola, Ryan Blaney, Chris Buescher, Martin Truex Jr., Christopher Bell, Matt DiBenedetto, William Byron, David Ragan, Anthony Alfredo, Erik Jones, Alex Bowman, Jamie McMurray and Daniel Suarez.
3:35 p.m. — And now a red flag because of a lighting strike. What a wild start.
RED FLAG: Lightning strike in vicinity. Racing will be stopped for at least 30 minutes. #NASCAR
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) February 14, 2021
3:25 p.m. — Whoa. We’ve got huge crash involving at least a dozen cars.
3:10 p.m. — The caution flag goes up after Derrike Cope hits the wall on Lap 3. He’s done for the day.
3 p.m. — A new season. Daytona 500. Pitbull. Here we go.
2:40 p.m. — Let’s hope those rain clouds float right on by the track.
What time does the Daytona 500 start?
The Daytona 500 broadcast will begin at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 14, but the race itself may not start until closer to 3 p.m. ET. It will be held at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla.
MORE: Remembering Dale Earnhardt’s deadly crash at Daytona 20 years later
Daytona 500 starting lineup 2021
Wednesday’s pole qualifying set the front row for the Daytona 500 with Alex Bowman earning the nod and William Byron recording the second-fastest lap. The results of Thursday’s Duels races won by Aric Almirola and Austin Dillon set the remainder of the field.
| Starting pos. | Driver |
| 1. | Alex Bowman |
| 2. | William Byron |
| 3. | Aric Almirola |
| 4. | Austin Dillon |
| 5. | Christopher Bell |
| 6. | Bubba Wallace |
| 7. | Ryan Newman |
| 8. | Kevin Harvick |
| 9. | Joey Logano |
| 10. | Kyle Busch |
| 11. | Ryan Preece |
| 12. | Chase Elliott |
| 13. | Kyle Larson |
| 14. | David Ragan |
| 15. | Daniel Suarez |
| 16. | Corey LaJoie |
| 17. | Michael McDowell |
| 18. | David Regan |
| 19. | Jamie McMurray |
| 20. | Kurt Busch |
| 21. | Ricky Stenhouse Jr. |
| 22. | Chris Buescher |
| 23. | Matt DiBenedetto |
| 24. | Brad Keselowski |
| 25. | Denny Hamlin |
| 26. | Martin Truex Jr. |
| 27. | Cole Custer |
| 28. | Joey Gase |
| 29. | Tyler Reddick |
| 30. | Chase Briscoe |
| 31. | Erik Jones |
| 32. | Derrike Cope |
| 33. | Quin Houff |
| 34. | Ross Chastain |
| 35. | Cody Ware |
| 36. | Anthony Alfredo |
| 37. | Josh Bilicki |
| 38. | BJ McLeod |
| 39. | Austin Cindric |
| 40. | Kaz Grala |