USA TODAY Sports' Mike Hembree breaks down all the hottest story lines heading into the race. USA TODAY Sports
It's NASCAR race day at Daytona International Speedway, and we've got all the information you need to get ready for today's 60th annual Daytona 500, the season-opener of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
START TIME: Newly retired NASCAR superstar and two-time Daytona 500 winner Dale Earnhardt Jr. will instruct drivers to start their engines at 2:53 p.m. ET, while retired NFL quarterback Peyton Manning will drive the pace car leading the field around the track. Academy Award winning actress Charlize Theron will wave the green flag at 3:05 p.m. ET.
RACE DISTANCE: The Daytona 500 is 200 laps around the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway for a total of 500 miles.
RACE STAGES: After a successful run last season, NASCAR will once again be dividing races into segments and handing out points. Here are the stages for today's race: Stage 1: 60 laps, Stage 2: 60 laps, Stage 3: 80 laps.
NATIONAL ANTHEM: The Navy Band Southeast will perform the national anthem at 2:46 p.m. ET followed by a flyover by the United States Air Force Thunderbirds.
TV/RADIO SCHEDULE: Fox will broadcast the race and has a pre-race show beginning at 1 p.m. ET. The Motor Racing Network and Sirius/XM NASCAR Radio will call the event on the radio.
SUNDAY: Spotlight for 60th Daytona 500 is on youth movement
DAYTONA 500 AT 60: Bill France Sr.'s big dreams remain vibrant
MORE: Five unforgettable moments in the Daytona 500
WEATHER: The Weather Channel is calling for a gorgeous day in Daytona Beach with mostly sunny skies, a high of 74 degrees and a slim 5% chance of precipitation.
DANICA DOUBLE: Danica Patrick will make her final career NASCAR start today before ending her racing career where it began — at the Indianapolis 500 in May. Patrick's best career finish in the Daytona 500 is an eighth-place showing in 2013 when she started from the pole.
