Rain pushes race to today

HAMPTON, Ga. – Rain at the Atlanta Motor Speedway postponed the NASCAR race Sunday moments before the start, and it was rescheduled for today – when more rain was in the forecast.

Officials at the Golden Corral 500 tried to wait out the large front, but the rain kept coming and the announcement was finally made after 2 1/2 hours.

NASCAR rescheduled the Nextel Cup event for 8 this morning Pacific time, but the National Weather Service forecast called for a 70 percent chance of rain today and a 30 percent chance of rain Tuesday morning.

The last time a Cup race was postponed by rain was at the Atlanta track in October 2003.

“This is tough right here,” Elliott Sadler said. “Mentally and physically, you’re trying to get ready for the race and get prepared, but you don’t know whether it’s going to happen.

“The weather for tomorrow doesn’t look that good, either. It’s tough on everybody, not only us, but the crews and the guys who are going through trying to get the cars inspected in the rain and the fans. It’s just a tough day.”

The 43 cars entered in the race were placed in impound by NASCAR and will not be returned to the teams until just before the start of the race.