Rain Postpones Nextel Cup Race

Saturday, May 12th 2007, 5:04 pm

By: News On 6

DARLINGTON, S.C. (AP) -- Rain forced the postponement of the NASCAR Nextel Cup race at Darlington Raceway on Saturday night, the second consecutive week an event has been pushed back a day.

The rain began falling about an hour before the scheduled start of the race and continued for several hours.

The cars were lined up outside their pit stalls in preparation for the start. However, officials announced the postponement at about 8:45 p.m.

The race is set to begin at 1 p.m Sunday.

A week ago, rain delayed the Nextel Cup race at Richmond International Raceway, also scheduled for a Saturday night.

The next day, Jimmie Johnson made Hendrick Motorsports 4-4 in Car of Tomorrow races this season with his victory.

Darlington, at 1.366 miles, will be the Car of Tomorrow's longest test of the season.

The Nextel Cup test scheduled for Monday and Tuesday at Dover International Speedway was still planned.