The 2012 Daytona 500 will get underway during primetime as rainy conditions continued and pushed back the previously announced Monday Noon green flag time. The race has been postponed by rain for the first time in 54 years.
Unless the weather doesn't hold up yet again, the start time for the Daytona 500 will be 7:02 p.m. ET and will be televised on FOX.
NASCAR president Mike Helton was not even certain the race would start at the hour set earlier today.
"I can't guarantee you we will start at 7 o'clock, but the chance of starting at 7 o'clock is a whole lot better than at noon," NASCAR president Mike Helton said at a 10:15 a.m. press conference.
Helton also said Fox is "on board to stay with us" for the live broadcast of the race, but that if rain continues, "Tuesday is an option." (via Washington Post)
USA Today pointed out that the forecast shows that the rain could stop around 7 p.m. which means a guaranteed primetime slot for the "Great American Race."
Given the time it takes to dry and prepare the track, it's possible that the race won't get underway until 8 p.m. or later, putting it directly into TV's prime-time wheelhouse - and making it the first prime-time start for a Daytona 500 (via USA Today)
Carl Edwards will start from the pole whenever the race finally does get underway.
For all your Daytona 500 coverage, be sure to check out SBNation.com