NASCAR Chase race at Texas underway after lengthy rain delay
FORT WORTH -- The start of the AAA Texas 500 was delayed Sunday when rain swept over Texas Motor Speedway immediately at the conclusion of the National Anthem.
The race, which was supposed to get the green flag at 2:04 p.m. ET, finally started at 7:56 p.m. ET under green/yellow flags after the cars had run several laps under caution to help with the drying process.
While the Chase for the Sprint Cup has just one scheduled night race - at Charlotte Motor Speedway in October - that was pushed to Sunday afternoon when Hurricane Matthew pelted the area with rain and wind.
The 1.5-mile track requires about three hours to dry but has proved difficult to ready for races because of water seepage.
The spring NASCAR race was finished after a lengthy delay and the IndyCar race in June was postponed after a two-day weekend of stops and starts.
Austin Dillon started from the pole. Seven drivers are vying for the final three playoff spots after Jimmie Johnson won the Round 3 opening race at Martinsville Speedway last week.