Weather update: Following a delay of over two hours, NASCAR has postponed the start of the Gander RV 400 until Monday. Coverage begins at noon Eastern on FS1.
Like a monster, something lurking other than the drivers themselves may present a difficult challenge when the Monster Energy Cup Series heads to Dover International Speedway for the 11th race of the season. A large rain system threatens to delay or postpone the Gander RV 400 until Monday.
Update on the Sunday afternoon forecast for @MonsterMile with @RaceWeather:
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) May 5, 2019
Odds of Racing Complete vs. Official
When we think the rain will end
Will there be lingering Mist/Drizzle/Fog?
Everything you wanted to know here - https://t.co/shcoXbx7aC #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/S7FNxCGJKZ
The conditions made an early impact this weekend, as drivers had their Saturday morning practice session canceled due to rain. The best weather is likely to be at the race's 2 p.m. ET scheduled Sunday start time, with an increased chance of heavy showers as the afternoon progresses. At least 201 of the 400 laps must be completed in order for the race to count.
MORE: Watch the Gander RV 400 live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
Chase Elliott may be the man to beat, following the momentum of his first win of the season last week at Talladega Superspeedway. Elliott is the defending champion at Dover and starts from pole position. Jimmie Johnson is the most successful driver in the history of the track with 11 career wins at Dover International Speedway, but he hasn't won a race since June of 2017, a remarkable 69-race drought.
Sporting News will provide lap-by-lap updates and race results from the Gander RV 400 at Dover International Speedway. Follow along below.
NASCAR at Dover: Live updates, highlights from Gander RV 400
The green flag is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET — if the weather forecast cooperates.
4:11 p.m.: After all that drama, NASCAR has decided to postpone the race until Monday. Coverage begins Monday at noon on FS1.
OFFICIAL: Racing at Dover has been moved to tomorrow (Monday). Coverage begins at 12p ET on FS1. pic.twitter.com/8ZVjeICp9Q
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 5, 2019
4:09 p.m.: What a tease. Cars have been ordered back to pit road. Such an emotional roller coaster.
4:04 p.m.: Engines fired and cars are rounding the track!
Rain is 10 to 20 miles out estimate 60 to 90 min until it’s arrival even with a 4:05 pm start (radar as 3:45 pm) it’s likely they will have to stop well before the end of stage 2 - continue to be on the same page as @RaceWeather #NASCAR @MonsterMile pic.twitter.com/s1SJvKMHGx
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) May 5, 2019
3:55 p.m.: So they should at least maybe get one stage in and then finish the other two tomorrow.
Rain is 10 to 20 miles out estimate 60 to 90 min until it’s arrival even with a 4:05 pm start (radar as 3:45 pm) it’s likely they will have to stop well before the end of stage 2 - continue to be on the same page as @RaceWeather #NASCAR @MonsterMile pic.twitter.com/s1SJvKMHGx
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) May 5, 2019
3:47 pm.: Time for the national anthem. They're going to try to get a few laps in.
"Drivers to your cars" @NASCAR #GanderRV400 #dover50 pic.twitter.com/eQLdwy5KXt
— Monster Mile (@MonsterMile) May 5, 2019
3:30 p.m.: Yippee. Cars are rolling.
Cars being pushed to the grid at @MonsterMile. Track drying continues. #GanderRV400
— Roush Yates Engines (@roushyates) May 5, 2019
3:06 p.m.: Not a promising outlook.
Stopped raining. We are right up against timeline to dry track. Will give it every effort. Anymore rain and will have to postpone.
— Steve O'Donnell (@odsteve) May 5, 2019
2:50 p.m.: Nothing new from NASCAR officials. Still just under a rain delay.
#NASCAR Radar update 2:43 pm EDT - light mist & rain but some wind - there is more rain about an hour & a half out but we could still see pockets of mist/ drizzle that will hurt drying even with the wind - @RaceWeather & I continue to monitor and update @MonsterMile pic.twitter.com/ZLuxSWj9TQ
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) May 5, 2019
2:25 p.m.: Drivers are headed out in their fire suits for driver introductions.
When it rains at the track ... ☔️🤦♂️
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) May 5, 2019
(Driver intros are underway tho!) pic.twitter.com/sou4Rifn1u
2:13 p.m.: Air Titans are still drying the track.
1:55 p.m.: Drivers are just hanging around the track in jeans and casual wear. Kevin Harvick told the FS1 broadcast he has lost optimism of racing today.
1:45 PM EDT @MonsterMile update - Rain is letting up but filling in a bit to SW. Even when rain ends, mist may persist and slow track drying. Winds will increase & could aid in track drying. @NASCAR_WXMAN & I continue to update and answer good questions. #NASCAR #GanderRV400 pic.twitter.com/xjAt50MGVn
— Aaron Studwell (@RaceWeather) May 5, 2019
1:38 p.m.: The Air Titans are out drying the track.
#NASCAR Air Titans have been dispatched to dry @MonsterMile #GanderRV400 pic.twitter.com/051ZZ0jBH5
— Matt Courson (@m_courson) May 5, 2019
1:30 p.m.: Alex Bowman and MArtin Truex Jr. are among four drivers that will start at the rear for failing pre-race inspectionsa