DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. — Rain continued to create havoc at Daytona Int’l Speedway on Monday morning.
With rain on Saturday and Sunday having set up the first doubleheader in history on a Monday at the 2.5-mile super speedway, continued showers forced the United Rentals 300 NASCAR Xfinity Series race to be moved from 11 a.m. Monday morning until 9 p.m. on Monday night.
It will follow the conclusion of the 66th running of the Daytona 500 for the NASCAR Cup Series that is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Many of the celebrities, including grand marshal Dwayne Johnson are expected to remain in Florida for the rain-delayed start.
Earlier at Daytona, Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson spoke about Denny Hamlin playing "the villian" role in NASCAR 👀
— SPEED SPORT (@SPEEDSPORT) February 19, 2024
🗣"… not only do you embrace it but also you get the opportunity to say and do a lot of things that people can't. A lot of people wish they can."#NASCAR #Daytona500 pic.twitter.com/R0dQD1dTJa
• Rain washed out the Daytona 500 on what (Feb. 18) was the 23rd anniversary of Dale Earnhardt’s death in a crash on the final lap of the Daytona 500.
Earnhardt was remembered both by fans and competitors and many fond tributes were posted on social media paying homage to the seven-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) February 18, 2024
Dale Earnhardt Jr. posted a simple GIF on X of his father.
23 years ago today, we lost Dale Earnhardt.
— NASCAR on NBC (@NASCARonNBC) February 18, 2024
Remembering the Intimidator. 3️⃣ pic.twitter.com/ae7FBstKFa
NASCAR on NBC posted a few photos of Earnhardt Sr. during his illustrious career.
• There are three Daytona 500 rookies in Monday’s field. They are Josh Berry, Carson Hocevar and Kaz Grala.
• Seven Daytona 500 winners (Jimmie Johnson, Denny Hamlin, Joey Logano, Austin Dillon, Michael McDowell, Austin Cindric and Ricky Stenhouse Jr.) are entered this year. Hamlin has won the 500 three times and Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is the defending race winner.
• Entering his 20th Daytona 500, 2017 Cup Series champion Martin Truex Jr. has never won the Great American Race. Truex came within a nose of winning the event in 2016, but lost to teammate Hamlin.
Ironically, two of Truex’s last three victories in the Cup Series have come on a Monday.
• Two other former champions, Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski, still seek their first Harley J. Earl Trophy as well. It’ll be Busch’s 20th attempt with a best finish of second (2019), while Keselowski enters his 16th Daytona 500 with a best finish of third (2014).
• Five drivers are pulling double duty on Monday, contesting both the Xfinity Series and Cup Series race at the 2.5-mile oval. Those drivers are Daniel Suarez, A.J. Allmendinger, Riley Herbst, John Hunter Nemechek and Anthony Alfredo.