February 16, 2020 | By Lee Spencer

Rain delays 62nd Annual Daytona 500

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla.—NASCAR has postponed the Daytona 500 until 4:05 p.m. on Monday due to inclement weather.

The 62nd running of the Great American Race was delayed originally to accommodate the arrival of the President of the United States and secondly by rain.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., finally led the field to green at 4:20 p.m. and the drivers completed 20 laps before the race was red-flagged for rain 15 minutes later. Stenhouse held the point for the entirety of the 20-lap run.

Seven drivers were forced to start the race from the rear. Ryan Blaney and Corey LaJoie’s primary cars were damaged in the Duel qualifying races and went to back-up cars. Denny Hamlin had multiple inspection failures. Ty Dillon’s team made a gear change on the No. 13 Chevy. Brennan Poole suffered an engine failure and multiple inspection failures. B.J. McCleod’s team changed the transmission on the No. 52 Ford. And Christopher Bell’s team was busted for unapproved adjustments.

Despite track drying and an attempt to restart the race just prior to 7:00 p.m., a downpour blew through Daytona International Speedway and soaked the facility.