Daytona 500 Schedule, Channel & Start Times

The 59th edition of the Nascar Daytona 500 is happening all weekend, with the actual race starting at 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time.

At the Daytona 500 race Oscar-nominated Owen Wilson is the Grand Marshal, and driver introductions will start at 1:15. Grammy award winning musical group Lady Antebellum will perform a pre-game show immediately following.

There are plenty of stories to follow in this year’s race, but most of the focus will be the return of Dale Earnhardt Jr. who returns after missing much of 2016 because of concussion symptoms and recovery. Earnhardt Jr. has won Great American Race twice already, but no matter what happens on Sunday it will be an accomplishment just for him just to get beyond the wheel again.

The 2017 Daytona 500 race is broadcast on FOX and FOX Sports channels. Viewers can also stream the event live on the FOX Sports website, or through the FOX Sports Go app for smartphones, tablets, and home entertainment devices.

Daytona 500 Schedule & Start Times

7:00 am

UNOH Fanzone opens

7:00 am

UNOH Fanzone Guided Garage Tour Sign-up for fans of all ages (limited number available)

7:00 am – 1:00 pm

Kids area open inside UNOH Fanzone

7:00 am – 1:00 pm

Inspection station activity in UNOH Fanzone

7:00 am – 1:00 pm

Daytona Rewards stations open in UNOH Fanzone

7:15 am

Fanatics Superstore Merchandise Tent in Midway opens

8:00 am

Stadium gates open

8:00 am

Midway display area opens

8:00 am

Harley J’s opens Fan Hospitality opens in Stadium

8:00 am – 11:30 am

Guided Garage Tours for fans of all ages (limited number available)

8:00 am – 1:00 pm

Daytona Rewards stations open in Stadium & UNOH Fanzone

8:00 am – 1:40 pm

Pre-Race Access Ceremonies: UNOH Fanzone/Pre-Race pass required

9:00 am

PowerFly Products Flyboard entertainment show on Lake Lloyd

9:15 am – 9:30 am

VIP Appearance: DAYTONA 500 National Anthem Performer Jordin Sparks and Honorary Starter LaDainian Tomlinson on the Alert Today Florida Main Stage in UNOH Fanzone

9:40 am – 9:50 am

VIP Appearance: DAYTONA 500 Champion and Honorary Race Official Mario Andretti in Harley J’s Fan Hospitality in Stadium

9:40 am – 10:10 am

VIP Appearance: USAF Thunderbirds autograph session under FPL Solar Patio in UNOH Fanzone

9:55 am – 10:10 am

Driver Appearance: Daytona 500 Champion Ryan Newman in Harley J’s Fan Hospitality in Stadium

10:00 am

PowerFly Products Flyboard entertainment show on Lake Lloyd

10:10 am – 10:25 am

Driver Appearance: DAYTONA 500 Champion & Coca-Cola Family Racing Driver Denny Hamlin at Coca-Cola RaceDay Ready display in Midway

10:15 am – 10:30 am

Driver Appearance: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Gray Gaulding on the Alert Today Florida Main Stage in UNOH Fanzone

10:20 am

Driver Appearance: DAYTONA 500 Champion Ryan Newman in Chevrolet display in Midway

10:30 am – 10:50 am

Driver Appearance: DAYTONA 500 Champion Denny Hamlin at the Toyota PitPass display outside the Toyota Gate in Midway

10:35 am

Driver Appearance: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Kyle Larson in Chevrolet display in Midway

10:35 am – 10:45 am

VIP Appearance: DAYTONA 500 Grand Marshal Owen Wilson on the Alert Today Florida Main Stage in UNOH Fanzone

10:45 am – 11:00 am

Driver Appearance: DAYTONA 500 Champion & Coca-Cola Family Racing Driver Ryan Newman on the Alert Today Florida Main Stage in the UNOH Fanzone

10:55 am – 11:15 am

Driver Appearance: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. inside Toyota’s Owners Hub at the Toyota PitPass display outside the Toyota Gate in Midway

11:00 am

PowerFly Products Flyboard entertainment show on Lake Lloyd

11:00 am

Driver Appearance: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series driver Ty Dillon in Chevrolet display in Midway

11:00 am – 11:10 am

VIP Appearance: DAYTONA 500 Champion and Honorary Race Official Mario Andretti on the Alert Today Florida Main Stage in UNOH Fanzone

11:15 am

Driver Appearance: DAYTONA 500 Champion Jimmie Johnson in Chevrolet display in Midway

11:45 am

PowerFly Products Flyboard entertainment show on Lake Lloyd

1:15 pm

DAYTONA 500 driver introductions

1:20 pm

DAYTONA 500 Pre-Race Show featuring Seven-time Grammy Award winning group Lady Antebellum on pit road

2:00 pm

DAYTONA 500