(Motorsport-Total.com) – The Daytona 500 traditionally opens the new season of the NASCAR Cup Series. On Sunday it was time again – actually.
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Jimmie Johnson will have to go back to Daytona on Monday zoom
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Because instead of the scheduled 200 laps, only 2.5 laps could be completed on the 2.5-mile Daytona International Speedway (photos: Daytona 500).
Then – not for the first time that day – rain started. Despite intensive efforts to dry the route during the rain-free minutes, new showers kept coming up. Ultimately, NASCAR had an inspection at 6:50 p.m. local time (0:50 a.m.CET). The adjournment of the remaining 180 rounds was announced.
The scheduled time to resume the 62nd Daytona 500 is Monday 4:00 p.m. local time. Converted to Central European time this means Monday 10:00 p.m. CET,
Before starting on Sunday, there was a special honor for Jimmie Johnson. On the occasion of his last Daytona 500, the seven-time NASCAR champion, who qualified for P6 with his # 48 Hendrick-Chevrolet, was allowed to lead the field for a lap under yellow.
The Green Flag was then planned. This had to be held back by starter Dale Earnhardt Jr. due to a first rain shower. The rain had started exactly in the last introductory round. It was only an hour late that the race started.
But there were no more than 20 laps, which were all led by pole setter Ricky Stenhouse (JTG-Chevrolet). The red flag came out and as before, the 40 drivers got out of their cars. But unlike before, they never got back in this case.
In order to score the race on Sunday with a shorter distance, 100 laps would have had to be completed. So it goes on Monday with Ricky Stenhouse at the top with the stand after 20 laps.
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