Update: Clash and Daytona 500 qualifying schedule after Saturday night rain
By Nick Tylwalk
Fans thought they’d get their first taste of 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series action on Saturday night, but Mother Nature had other plans.
Even with 17 of the best NASCAR drivers set to hit Daytona International Speedway on Saturday night, they ran up against an opponent who can’t be defeated — the weather.
Persistent rain washed out the Advance Auto Parts Clash, forcing it to the next morning. That’s the bad news.
The good news is that NASCAR fans can now make a day of it on Sunday, with both the Clash and Daytona 500 qualifying taking place more or less back to back. That’s assuming no more precipitation, of course, but while the track may see more rain overnight, it should be clear by about 7 a.m.
Here’s the updated schedule for Sunday’s NASCAR action, all airing on Fox Sports 1:
- Advance Auto Parts Clash – coverage begins at 11:00 a.m., green flag expected around 11:35 a.m.
- Daytona 500 qualifying – coverage scheduled to begin at 3:00 p.m.
It remains to be seen if Fox Sports 1 simply stays live from the track between events. That will likely be the case as there shouldn’t be too much time in-between them.
Brad Keselowski is riding shotgun on the Clash field, with a starting order set by a random draw. Defending race winner Denny Hamlin is on the outside of Row 1, while Chris Buescher — eligible for the Clash thanks to his underdog entry into last season’s Chase — will be all alone in Row 9.
Next: Starting grid for the Advance Auto Parts Clash at Daytona
A green track could make things interesting for the Clash, or it could give the participating teams a leg up when it comes to information to help them in qualifying. Be sure to join us back here at FanSided.com for more coverage, and thanks in advance to Mother Nature for letting them run on Sunday without more delays.