Steady rain delays start of NASCAR race at Daytona International Speedway

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Steady rain is delaying the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Daytona International Speedway.

The Coke Zero 400 was supposed to start at 7:57 p.m. Saturday, but showers soaked the 2 1/2 mile superspeedway and forced officials to delay the green flag.

Officials say there is no estimated start time.

It's fairly common for weather delays to affect the July race at Daytona, where Florida's sweltering summer heat and humidity often includes thunderstorms. Even the Daytona 500 in February was delayed more than six hours by rain, starting and then enduring the extended stoppage.

Sprint Cup rookies Alex Bowman and Ryan Truex entertained fellow drivers and rain-soaked fans Saturday by turning the introduction stage into a slip and slide.