80% Chance of Rain For Postponed DAYTONA 500

Categories: Florida

80% Chance of Rain For Postponed DAYTONA 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Florida — The National Weather Service in Melbourne, Florida is forecasting an 80% chance of rain today in Daytona Beach, Florida during NASCAR’s Daytona 500 which begins today at 12:00 p.m. E.S.T.

CLICK HERE FOR LIVE DOPPLER RADAR FOR DAYTONA BEACH

The NWS predicts that rainfall in Volusia County will be less than a tenth of an inch. Additional weather hazards for the Daytona 500 are possible thunderstorms with cloud-to-ground lightning.

Despite attempts by event race crews to dry the track, a wet Daytona International Speedway 3.56 mile tri-oval track that is only 40-feet wide will create added hazards for the NASCAR drivers when making their 31-degree banking turns. Danica Patrick, sponsored by godaddy.com, already suffered a crash last week on a dry track during the Gator Aide Duel Race.

There is minimal banking on the front-stretch and back-stretch of the track to aid in draining.

The 54^th annual Daytona 500 NASCAR Sprint Cup Series race at Daytona International Speedway was the first DAYTONA 500 to ever be postponed in NASCAR history.

A new schedule for the Monday Daytona 500 was released by the Daytona International Speedway.

WWE Superstar John Cena will deliver the command “Drivers, start your engines” and will wave the green flag to kick off the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.

Tickets for Sunday’s race will be honored on Monday. Tickets for the Daytona 500 will also be on sale at the gate or the Daytona International Speedway ticket office.

Monday’s schedule:

5 a.m. – Parking lots open

6 a.m. – Bus transportation begins

7 a.m. – Ticket offices open

7:30 a.m. – Trams begin running

8 a.m. – Gates and Sprint FANZONE opens

12:01 p.m. – Green flag for the 54^th annual Daytona 500

The race will air on FOX at noon.

The Daytona 500 Champion’s Breakfast has been postponed to a later date.