NASCAR's 2021 Daytona 500 and Daytona Speedweeks schedule, time, TV channel
The 2021 NASCAR season is almost here. And while the official start to the Cup Series season is the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 14, the racing world celebrates the unofficial beginning of the season with Daytona Speedweeks — typically more than a week’s worth of on-track action leading up to the biggest race of the year.
However, things are looking a little different this year at Daytona International Speedway. While there is definitely tons of on-track action — including, of course, the Busch Clash At DAYTONA — the Speedweeks schedule is more condensed, down to six days from nine.
And instead of having Daytona 500 practices, pole qualifying and the Clash this weekend like in previous years, the schedule is set to start Tuesday.
Here’s a complete breakdown of the 2021 Daytona Speedweeks schedule with times, TV channel info and extra notes.
Daytona Speedweeks: Tuesday, Feb. 9
Busch Clash At DAYTONA
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
Notes: For the first time, the Clash will be on Daytona’s road course instead of the 2.5-mile oval. The road course made its debut in August during the 2020 Cup schedule, so drivers have a little bit of experience with it. While the Clash is an exhibition event, Daytona’s road course will host an in-season points race the week after the Daytona 500.
Daytona Speedweeks: Wednesday, Feb. 10
NASCAR Cup Series practice
Time: 12:05 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
Daytona 500 pole qualifying
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
Notes: This will determine which two drivers will start the Daytona 500 on the front row but not the starting lineup of the rest of the field.
Daytona Speedweeks: Thursday, Feb. 11
NASCAR Truck Series practice
Time: 5:35 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
Duels at Daytona
Time: 7 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
Notes: Split into two races, the Duels determine the Daytona 500 starting lineup for every team not on the front row. This year, there are more teams trying to qualify for the Daytona 500 than the 40 available spots. Thirty-six of those spots are guaranteed already, so the remaining four are up for grabs and not everyone will make the cut.
Daytona Speedweeks: Friday, Feb. 12
NASCAR Truck Series qualifying
Time: 3:10 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
NASCAR Xfinity Series practice
Time: 4:35 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
NASCAR Truck Series NextEra Energy 250
Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
Daytona Speedweeks: Saturday, Feb. 13
NASCAR Cup Series practice
Time: 9:30 a.m. ET
Channel: FS2
NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying
Time: 10:40 a.m. ET
Channel: Coverage starts on FS2 and switches to FS1 at 11 a.m. ET
NASCAR Cup Series final practice
Time: 12:05 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
ARCA Series Lucas Oil 200
Time: 1:30 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
NASCAR Xfinity Series Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner. 300
Time: 5 p.m. ET
Channel: FS1
Daytona Speedweeks: Sunday, Feb. 14
NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500
Time: 2:30 p.m. ET
Channel: FOX
Notes: Denny Hamlin is this year’s Daytona 500 favorite, and if he takes the checkered flag, he’ll be the first driver to win three consecutive Daytona 500s. It would also be his fourth Daytona 500 win overall.