NASCAR Cup Series driver Martin Truex Jr. (19) walks to his trailer with some team members during a rain-soaked Kansas Speedway. Reese Strickland-USA TODAY Sports

NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas delayed

By Samuel Stubbs | Last updated May 5, 2024 5:05 PM ET

Mother Nature isn't quite done impacting NASCAR races in 2024.

After rain moved the Busch Clash up 24 hours and the Daytona 500 back 24 hours, NASCAR fans had been pleasantly treated to two and a half months of postponement-free racing. While rain did slightly delay the start of the Richmond race on Easter, rain tires allowed NASCAR to start the race less than an hour after the scheduled green flag time.

However, the Kansas Speedway is the latest victim of Mother Nature's wrath, as a steady contingent of rain has delayed the start of Sunday's AdventHealth 400.

Still steady light rain. No tba. Would think need an hour to dry after the rain stops. They are preparing for an evening race so would think willing to wait. Normally for a night race wouldn’t want to start much later than 10p ET but haven’t heard if that is plan here. pic.twitter.com/b84NY0STzv
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 5, 2024

While the track does have lights, a steady rain has been falling for a couple of hours now, and with track drying operations unable to fully commence, NASCAR has not decided to announce a scheduled start time. It is believed that NASCAR would do everything in its power to race on Sunday night, rather than pushing the race back to Monday, which would lead to poor attendance at the track and low TV ratings.

Track drying has resumed. No eta yet especially with possibility of more rain. pic.twitter.com/LAoYr2fV6o
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) May 5, 2024

AccuWeather is currently calling for rain until 6 p.m. central time at Kansas, and with the track taking around an hour to dry, the race could go green as soon as 7:15 p.m. ET, with condensed pre-race ceremonies likely.

The rain on Sunday has also affected the plans of Richard Petty, who was slated to be the grand marshal for Sunday's race. With "The King" scheduled to join Kyle Petty's charity motorcycle ride. Fellow seven-time NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson, who will start 19th in Sunday's race, will fill in instead.

Statement from @LEGACYMotorClub:

“Richard Petty is scheduled to join the Kyle Petty Charity Ride and the logistics to get him to meet up with the ride could not be altered. Stepping in for Richard to give the command for the #AdventHealth400 will be driver of the No. 84… pic.twitter.com/etk7OPAvJu
— Kansas Speedway (@kansasspeedway) May 5, 2024

The AdventHealth 400 will still air on FS1, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. A current green flag time is not known for the event.

Samuel Stubbs

Hailing from the same neck of the woods as NASCAR Hall of Famer Mark Martin, Samuel has been covering NASCAR for Yardbarker since February 2024. He has been a member of the National Motorsports Press Association (NMPA) since October of 2024. When he’s not writing about racing, Samuel covers Arkansas Razorback basketball for Yardbarker

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