UPDATE: NASCAR postpones MIS finish as rain returns; 5 big names crash early
BROOKLYN, MI – A 102-minute rain delay is over, and the NASCAR Cup Series has taken the green flag at Michigan International Speedway.
Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 nearly started at 2:30 p.m., as cars were on the track for pace laps before rain came. It was heavy enough that cars were brought down pit road and drivers got out of their cars.
The rain clouds moved to the north, bringing sunny skies over the track. NASCAR had a host of drying equipment on the track to get the surface ready.
Fans cheered as drivers refired their engines at 4:05 p.m. The green flag flew at 4:12 p.m.
Christopher Bell started on the pole after notching a lap averaging 193.382 mph in Saturday’s qualifying session. Ross Chastain took the lead on the first lap, however.
There’s a chance more rain could hit the track. If the race gets past the halfway mark – Lap 100 – the race will be called official on Sunday if rain comes. If it doesn’t get that far, the balance of the race will be finished on Monday, per NASCAR rules.
MIS does not have lights, so the race must finish prior to sunset – which is at 8:49 p.m.
The race is televised on USA Network.
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