DARLINGTON, S.C. — The start of Sunday’s Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race at Darlington Raceway was delayed by rain.
A sizable shower first hit the 1.366-mile South Carolina track around 5:45 p.m. ET, just before the scheduled 6 p.m. ET start of the Bojangles’ Southern 500 (NBCSN, MRN, SiriusXM). The 500-mile event is the centerpiece of NASCAR Throwback Weekend and the penultimate race in the Monster Energy Series’ regular season.
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Competition officials have a solid contingent of track-drying equipment on hand: 10 NASCAR Air Titans, seven jet dryers, two Elgin sweepers, one track vacuum and a buffalo blower.
When the race does get started, 21-year-old William Byron will lead the 39-car field to the green flag. Byron captured the Busch Pole Award in Saturday’s qualifying, edging second-fastest Brad Keselowski, who is the defending race winner.
This story will be updated.