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SPORTS Monday 17 February 2020
Rains postpones Daytona 500, dampening event, Trump's visit

By JENNA FRYER Trump. American glory."
DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) "I got to meet the presi- Trump and his wife then got
— The Daytona 500 has dent! How cool is that?" in the limousine and turned
been postponed by rain driver Aric Almirola said. a lap. They avoided the
for the first time since 2012, Trump served as the grand high-banked turns at Day-
dampening NASCAR's sea- marshal for the Daytona 500 tona and stayed on the
son opener that started and gave the command apron through the corners.
with a ballyhooed visit from for drivers to start their en- The president's visit was
President Donald Trump. gines. Trump, with first lady widely welcomed by NAS-
The race was postponed Melania Trump by his side, CAR fans. Trump 2020 flags
after two lengthy delays addressed the crowd and flooded the infield, and
totaling more than three called the opener "a leg- some fans wore them as
hours. The race will now be- endary display of roaring capes in the garage area.
gin at 4 p.m. Monday and engines, soaring spirits and His presence also created
be broadcast live on Fox. the American skill, speed huge lines at entrances,
It's the second time in and power that we've with many fans complain-
62 years that "The Great been hearing about for so ing while waiting hours to
American Race" will finish many years." get through security.
on a Monday. "For 500 heart-pounding Former NASCAR chairman Air Force One, carrying President Donald Trump, makes a pass
over Daytona International Speedway before the NASCAR Day-
The first delay of the day miles, these fierce competi- and CEO Brian France, who tona 500 auto race Sunday, Feb. 16, 2020, in Daytona Beach,
came moments after the tors will chase the check- was replaced following his Fla.
presidential motorcade ered flag, fight for the August 2018 arrest on DUI Associated Press
completed a ceremonial Harley J. Earl trophy and charges, was on Air Force
parade lap around the make their play for pure One with the president Among those who met France and fellow top ex-
2 1/2-mile track. Trump's American glory," Trump and first lady. They traveled them at the airport: cur- ecutives Lesa France Ken-
armored limousine nick- said. "That's what it is: pure, from West Palm Beach. rent NASCAR chairman Jim nedy and Ben Kennedy.q
named "The Beast" ex-
ited Daytona International
Speedway, and the sky
opened for a brief shower
that forced drivers back to
pit road.
The start already had been
pushed back 13 minutes
to accommodate Trump's
trip. Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
eventually led the field to
the green flag and was out
front for the first 20 laps be-
fore heavier rain soaked a
racing surface that takes
hours to dry.
NASCAR called drivers
back to their cars around
6:40 p.m. EST, hoping to
get more laps in before
more showers hit again.
Some drivers showed, but
the heaviest rain of the day
forced a postponement.
It no doubt choked some
of the excitement out of an
event that had been a rau-
cous celebration for hours,
some of it prompted by
Trump's dramatic entrance.
Thousands cheered as Air
Force One performed a
flyover and landed at Day-
tona International Airport a
few hundred yards behind
the track. Trump's motor-
cade arrived a few minutes
later, eliciting another loud
ovation. Both entrances
were broadcast on giant
video boards around the
superspeedway.
At least a dozen drivers
were escorted from the
pre-race meeting to a
private introduction with