DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Rain is anticipated this weekend at Daytona.

Accuweather calls for more than a 90% chance of rain both Saturday and Sunday. There are expected to be periods of rain, some heavy, on Sunday afternoon. The 66th running of the Daytona 500, the first official Cup Series points race of the season, is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m.

NASCAR has moved its ARCA Menards Series race to 10:30 p.m. Friday.

Saturday, when the Xfinity Race is still currently scheduled, is shaping up to be a rain-filled day. The National Weather Service forecasts showers turning into heavy rain after 1 p.m.

But Friday is nice. Rain doesn’t appear in the forecast until light showers well into the night. Trucks are expected to hit the track for qualifying at 3 p.m., followed by cars for Xfinity practice. And the first Craftsman Truck Series race of the season is scheduled to go green at 7:30 p.m, followed by the rescheduled ARCA race.

The track needs at least 90 minutes to dry. The cars’ tires don’t have tread, so NASCAR is expected to put the race under caution for any amount of rain.

If the races in any of the series are interrupted during the action, NASCAR can opt to consider the race official if it has reached its halfway point, or the end of Stage 2.

Friday’s weather and schedule

Friday should be a nice day, according to the National Weather Service. There’s a high of 74 degrees on a partly sunny day. Only a slight chance (20%) of rain at night, and not until after 1 a.m.

ARCA MENARDS QUALIFYING

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