DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – The Daytona 500 was postponed by rain for the first time since 2012, dampening NASCAR’s Cup Series season opener that started with a ballyhooed visit from President Donald Trump.
The race was postponed after two lengthy delays totaling more than three hours Sunday. The race will now begin at 4 p.m. Monday and be broadcast live on Fox.
It’s the second time in 62 years “The Great American Race” will finish on a Monday.
The first delay of the day came moments after the presidential motorcade completed a ceremonial parade lap around the 2.5-mile track. Trump’s armored limousine nicknamed “The Beast” exited Daytona International Speedway, and the sky opened for a brief shower that forced drivers back to pit road.
The start already had been pushed back 13 minutes to accommodate Trump’s trip. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., enjoying only the third pole position of his Cup Series career, eventually led the field to the green flag and was out front for the first 20 laps before heavier rain soaked a racing surface that takes hours to dry.