Lengthy rainfall forced organizers to delay the start of the already postponed Daytona 500 by another seven hours until 7 P.M. (2400 GMT) Monday, race officials said. NASCAR's season opener was originally scheduled for Sunday but was washed out by persistent downpours, marking the first time in its 54-year history the Great American Race has been postponed to another day. The race was originally rescheduled to start at 12 P.M. Monday with Carl Edwards on the pole position. Most fans appeared to anticipate the delay, staying in their hotels, with just a sprinkling of supporters gathering under gas station roofs to await news while the stands were empty. There was no activity in the garage areas which remain in pre-race secure status. NASCAR president Mike Helton was hopeful the new start time would be realized but did not rule out a switch to Tuesday. “Obviously it is going to depend on the other weather conditions, the temperature, the breeze,” he said in a statement. “We believe it is about a two-hour process to dry the track but it could take longer, it depends if there are pockets to get the track dry. “There are a lot of other circumstances but based on the weather, based on NASCAR, we think that 7 (P.M.) is realistic. We also have a buffer if we had to delay a little longer than that.” Tuesday remained an option if the rains continue, Helton said. “We are focused on today and this afternoon right now but just so everyone knows, Tuesday is an option before we'd have to consider packing up and leaving,” he said. Organizers have had to adjust their plans given that on Sundays the race track uses local school buses for transportation and car parks belonging to public buildings and businesses which are open Monday. But given the dominance of the speedway over the town of Daytona Beach, track president Joie Chitwood said the problems have been handled well. Chitwood said the postponement would clearly have a financial impact. “I can't quantify a number other than the fact that is going to cost us more to run this event based on having another day of expenses with no revenue associated with it,” he said.
