After a rain delay of nearly an hour pushed back the start of the 2020 Daytona 500, the field of 40 NASCAR Cup Series cars ran 20 laps before weather again halted the action for the 62nd annual Great American Race. Then, after two hours of track-drying efforts but persistent rain, the Daytona 500 was pushed back a day.
The race will resume Monday afternoon and will be broadcast live on Fox. The green flag time is set for 4:05 p.m. ET, and the race will restart on Lap 21.
NEWS: Today's 62nd running of the #DAYTONA500 has been postponed due to inclement weather.
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) February 16, 2020
The race will resume on Monday at 4 PM ET on FOX. pic.twitter.com/YqhxSJrOHD
The first delay Sunday came from a pop-up shower. The second came from a series of cells and with heavier rain. At 4:42 p.m. ET, the red flag came out. At 4:57 p.m. ET, the rain stopped and NASCAR sent out Air Titans to begin drying the track. At 6:33 p.m. ET, NASCAR told drivers to return to their cars, but 10 minutes later, rain started pouring again. Teams at 6:43 p.m. ET were told to cover their cars, and soon after came the call to delay the race to Monday.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr., who started the Daytona 500 on the pole, was still the leader when rain stopped the race.
MORE: Daytona 500 live stream | Race updates
Tomorrow (Monday) - it’s better than today but there is a small chance of an isolated shower but not to the extent or coverage of today - will have more with @raceweather tonight and tomorrow #NASCAR
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) February 16, 2020
Radar update 6:25 pm EST - not liking the look of the rain filling towards the back of the rain - means it could rain longer - sadly my guy says we are looking at Mon racing but that is an opinion #NASCAR Thanks to @raceweather for his help today pic.twitter.com/mXwmY8NRa4
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) February 16, 2020
L20 -- Caution and then red flag for rain.
— Nate Ryan (@nateryan) February 16, 2020
Had been single file the past 15 laps with hardly anyone pulling out of line to make a move. With reports of the inclement weather approaching, it felt like a race to make it close to halfway (or at least the first pit stop).#nascar
The forecast for Sunday in Daytona called for a 30 percent chance of precipitation, and the radar in the moments leading up to the beginning of the race showed a handful of pop-up showers but no significant weather systems.
Daytona International Speedway, of course, is a 2.5-mile monster of a race track, making the drying process a bit lengthier compared to that of most circuits. It didn't help that the track is located so close to the eastern Florida coast in the flattest area of the state, making it prone to the kind of pop-up showers that delayed the Daytona 500.
The 4:05 p.m. ET start time Monday for the rest of the Daytona 500 is notable considering next week's Cup race will run at Las Vegas Motor Speedway.
Please try to run this race even if it’s at midnight tonight.
— Ryan Ellis (@ryanellisracing) February 16, 2020
4pm tomorrow (rumored time) is ridiculous for teams as we are supposed to be back at the shop finishing our cars for the West Coast and they have to leave TUESDAY MORNING.
Teams don’t seem concerned about racing at night. They knew the race would end under the lights. Main concern is getting haulers to Vegas. Most scheduled to leave sometime Tuesday.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 16, 2020