Rain in forecast moves Daytona 500 to 7 p.m. start

The Daytona 500, already postponed a day because of rain, will be delayed just a few hours longer – into prime time.

NASCAR said this morning the race is now slated to begin at 7 tonight.

NASCAR president Mike Helton announced the change because it was still raining at Daytona International Speedway this morning.

Engines will start at 7:02 p.m., Helton said in a tweet.

Fox has committed telecasting the race live, no matter when it runs, Helton said.

"I know a lot of race fans are disappointed and a lot of people at home on TV, but we just hope they tune in," driver Greg Biffle said.

Race officials had been keeping a close watch on the radar after rain postponed the Daytona 500 for this time in 54 years on Sunday. It had been rescheduled for noon start, but the forecast for this afternoon wasn't much better.

A warm front was creating a swath of showers from the Gulf heading across the state's north peninsula, said News Channel 8 meteorologist Leigh Spann. There was an 80 percent chance of rain this afternoon.

"While we're suspending the start from noon to 7 … we're not suspending our efforts. We'll be working all day," Helton wrote on Twitter.

Tonight's forecast for the speedway calls for a 30 percent chance of rain with the temperature in the 60s.

NASCAR wants to get the race in today because of the strain on teams that must travel to Phoenix for next week's event.

With several intriguing story lines on tap, NASCAR is hoping to capitalize on the addition of driver Danica Patrick.

The Daytona 500 is the first of 10 scheduled Sprint Cup Series events for Patrick, who left IndyCar for a full-time move to NASCAR. She will race for the Nationwide Series championship driving for JR Motorsports.

Carl Edwards, runner-up to Tony Stewart in last year's championship race, will start from the pole.

Eight previous Daytona 500s have endured rain delays, the latest in 2009. But never before had storms forced the event to be moved.