Daytona 500 NASCAR 2025: Schedules and where to watch the race live

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off with the 67th edition of the Daytona 500, the most iconic race on the calendar and the event that marks the beginning of the season. With a history dating back to 1959, the competition takes place at the Daytona International Speedway, a 2.5-mile oval in Florida, and is considered one of the most prestigious races in American motorsports.

How to Watch the 2025 NASCAR Daytona 500 Live

The Daytona 500 will take place on Sunday, February 16, at 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. in Mexico, 3:30 p.m. in Argentina and Chile, 12:30 p.m. in Colombia and Peru). In Mexico, the race will be broadcast on FOX Sports. For other Latin American countries, official information has not yet been confirmed, so it is recommended to check the programming of sports networks such as ESPN and DSports.

Race Features

The Daytona 500 consists of 200 laps on a track where drafting strategy and teamwork among manufacturers play a key role. Due to the nature of the circuit, cars run in tight packs, increasing the likelihood of multi-car crashes known as the "Big One". In the past, cars used restrictor plates to limit power, but now tapered spacers are used for the same purpose.

Qualifying Format:

• The pole position and second-place starter are determined in a single-lap session.
• The rest of the grid is set through two races known as Duel Races, each covering 150 miles.

Event Schedule

• Wednesday, February 12:
• NASCAR Cup Series Practice – 10:05 a.m. ET (9:05 a.m. Mexico, 12:05 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 8:05 a.m. Colombia and Peru)
• Single-lap Qualifying – 8:15 p.m. ET (7:15 p.m. Mexico, 9:15 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 6:15 p.m. Colombia and Peru)
• Thursday, February 13:
• Duel 1 – 7:00 p.m. ET (6:00 p.m. Mexico, 8:00 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 5:00 p.m. Colombia and Peru)
• Duel 2 – 8:45 p.m. ET (7:45 p.m. Mexico, 9:45 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 6:45 p.m. Colombia and Peru)
• Friday, February 14:
• NASCAR Cup Series Practice – 10:05 a.m. ET (9:05 a.m. Mexico, 12:05 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 8:05 a.m. Colombia and Peru)
• Truck Series Race – 7:30 p.m. ET (6:30 p.m. Mexico, 8:30 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 5:30 p.m. Colombia and Peru)
• Final NASCAR Cup Series Practice – 3:05 p.m. ET (2:05 p.m. Mexico, 4:05 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 1:05 p.m. Colombia and Peru)
• Xfinity Series Race – 5:00 p.m. ET (4:00 p.m. Mexico, 6:00 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 3:00 p.m. Colombia and Peru)
• Sunday, February 16:
• NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 – 2:30 p.m. ET (1:30 p.m. Mexico, 3:30 p.m. Argentina and Chile, 12:30 p.m. Colombia and Peru)

History and Significance

Since its first edition in 1959, the Daytona 500 has been a cornerstone of American motorsports. NASCAR opens its season with the Daytona 500, a race of great importance that sets it apart from other events on the schedule. The Harley J. Earl Trophy, named after the General Motors designer, is one of the most coveted awards in racing.

Among the most memorable moments in the race’s history are Richard Petty’s seven victories, Dale Earnhardt’s long-awaited 1998 win after two decades of attempts, and Trevor Bayne’s surprise victory in 2011 at just 20 years old. In 2024, William Byron claimed victory for Hendrick Motorsports, securing a 1-2 finish alongside Alex Bowman in a race that had to be postponed to Monday due to rain.