Damp conditions persisted at Pocono Raceway throughout Monday morning, creating weepers and delaying the start of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series' Pennyslvania 400 (160 laps, 400 miles) after it was postponed Sunday.
Originally scheduled for 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday, the series' second stop at the 2.5-mile track was moved to Monday at 11 a.m. ET. Green flag for Monday was originally set for 11:07 a.m. ET.
Polesitter Martin Truex Jr. will lead the field to green with Joe Gibbs Racing's Carl Edwards lining up alongside his Furniture Row Racing No. 78 Toyota. Richard Childress Racing's Paul Menard, JGR's Denny Hamlin and RCR's Ryan Newman round out the top five qualifiers.
The June Sprint Cup Series Pocono event also was postponed by weather and eventually ran the following Monday. Three-time "Tricky Triangle" winner Kurt Busch was the victor in his No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet with Hendrick Motorsports' Dale Earnhardt Jr. locking in the runner-up position.
This week, as Earnhardt Jr. continues to recover from concussion-like symptoms, Jeff Gordon is wheeling the No. 88 Chevrolet for the second time this season. He will start 24th.
This story will be updated.
UPDATE (11:16am ET):
As of 11:00am ET, it is not raining at Pocono Raceway. Track drying is underway, but NASCAR continues to battle weepers on the track. The race will not start as scheduled. Currently NASCAR is hoping for a 12:30pm/et start.
UPDATE (11:17am ET):
Carl Edwards, driver of the No. 19 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota spoke with reporters on the NBC Sports Network on Monday and said that reports are that NASCAR expects the track to be ready by around 1:30pm ET.
UPDATE (11:21am ET):
Pocono Raceway tweeted that track officials are expecting a 12:30pm ET tentative start.
CORRECTION: Per Pocono Raceway officials, we are hoping for a 12:30 p.m. ET tentative start.— Pocono Raceway (@poconoraceway) August 1, 2016
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