President Trump will be at today's Daytona 500. Here's when, what to know
John Gallas- President Donald Trump is scheduled to attend the Daytona 500 today.
- Trump will arrive at Daytona International Speedway around 1:10 p.m. and depart around 3:05 p.m.
- Trump has appeared at the Daytona 500 before, having previously attended in 1999, 2000, 2001, and 2020.
Today is the day the NASCAR season starts, and it happens in Daytona Beach at the world famous Daytona 500 today, February 16, 2025. Another event you've been hearing about, a visit by President Donald Trump, well that's happening, too.
The White House on Saturday night released the schedule for Trump's travel to and from the Daytona 500. It looks as if he'll arrive just before the Green Flag, stay for some racing and then head on his way, back south to West Palm Beach, Florida, and then to his home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach.
"Today, I look forward to joining tens of thousands of American Patriots in Daytona Beach, Florida, for the 'Great American Race' — the legendary Daytona 500 — and the official start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series," Trump said in a statement before his Daytona Beach arrival.
Here's what to know.
When will Trump be at the Daytona 500?
Here is a timeline released by the White House:
11:30 a.m. Trump departs Mar-a-Lago en route Palm Beach International AirportMar-a-Lago
Watch Daytona 500 live on Fubo (free trial)11:45 a.m. The president arrives Palm Beach International Airport
11:55 a.m. Trump departs Palm Beach International Airport en route Daytona Beach International AirportPalm Beach International Airport
12:45 p.m. Trump and Air Force One arrive Daytona Beach International AirportDaytona Beach International Airport
1:05 p.m. Trump and his motorcade, likely riding in The Beast, the nickname for his heavily armoured limousine, depart Daytona Beach International Airport en route Daytona International Speedway
1:10 p.m. The president arrives Daytona International Speedway for the Daytona 500
(The Green Flag for the Daytona 500 is scheduled for approximately 2 p.m.)
3:05 p.m. Trump departs Daytona International Speedway en route to Daytona Beach International Airport fromDaytona International Speedway.
When will Trump return to Mar-a-Lago?
3:15 p.m. Trump arrives Daytona Beach International Airport
3:30 p.m. The president departs Daytona Beach International Airport on Air Force One en route Palm Beach International Airport
4:15 p.m. Trump arrives Palm Beach International Airport
4:25 p.m. Trump departs Palm Beach International Airport en route Mar-a-Lago
4:40 p.m. Trump arrives at his Florida home at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach, Florida.
What's the Daytona Beach weather forecast for the Daytona 500? Rain, wind ahead
According to the National Weather Service in Melbourne, there's a chance of showers and thunderstorms before 3 p.m. today, about an hour after the scheduled Daytona 500 Green Flag.
Rain: Then showers are likely and possibly a thunderstorm between 3 and 5 p.m., then a chance of showers and thunderstorms again after 5 p.m.
Though it'll be warm, partly sunny, with a high near 84. It'll also be very windy.
Wind: A south wind at 10 to 15 mph will become a southwest wind at 20 to 25 mph in the afternoon. Winds could gust as high as 35 mph.
Rain chances high: Chance of precipitation is now at 70%. New rainfall amounts of less than a tenth of an inch, except higher amounts possible in thunderstorms.
Has Trump been to the Daytona 500 before?
Before the 2020 Daytona 500, Trump arrived on Air Force One, which did a low flyover past Daytona International Speedway. Once inside the World Center of Racing, which he entered in The Beast, the presidential limo, as grand marshal he gave the drivers the starting command, with first lady Melania by his side.
Then the presidential limo joined the other pace cars and safety vehicles on the track and led the 40-car field through a pre-race lap.
Before becoming president, Trump made at least three other appearances at the Great American Race — in 1999, 2000 and 2001.
During his re-election campaign in May 2024, he showed up at the Coca-Cola 600 in Charlotte. That marked his first NASCAR event since 2020.
When is the Daytona 500 today? The time changed
- Start time: 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday
- Location: Daytona International Speedway (2.5-mile tri-oval track) in Daytona Beach, Florida
Coverage of the 2025 Daytona 500 is scheduled to begin at 1:30 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 16. The green flag is expected to drop about 2 p.m.
Watch Daytona 500 live on Fubo (free trial)
What channel is Daytona 500 2025 on today? TV schedule, streaming info
The 2025 Daytona 500 will air on Fox. Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer and Kevin Harvick will have the call from the booth at Daytona International Speedway. Streaming options include Fubo, which offers a free trial for new subscribers.
Contributing: Chris Vinel, The Daytona Beach News-Journal and Dan Rorabaugh, USA TODAY Network-Florida
(This story has been updated to add new information and photos.)
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