NASCAR rescheduled the Great American Race for noon on Monday, as heavy rains inundated the Daytona International Speedway Sunday.
Officials waited for more than four hours to see if the rain would cease, but with continuous showers, the decision was taken to postpone the 500-mile race.
“This is one of the toughest things for us drivers,” pole-sitter Carl Edwards said, espn.go.com reports. “It’s now who can really stay focused. That’s not just the drivers, that’s the pit crews, the crew chiefs, everyone, the officials. But I think we’ll be just fine.”
While the postponement is a bit of a downer for the drivers, perhaps the biggest losers are the fans. Many who did come in days before the event would probably have to head home. As well, the millions of fans planning to watch on television, may not be able to do so on Monday.
Nonetheless, officials insist, the Daytona 500 will still be a great race.
Monday’s weather forecast calls for more rain, but officials are prepared to wait for hours, so that the Race does not go into Tuesday.
It is the first time the Daytona 500 has been postponed in its 54-year history.
