And the Daytona Weather Issue

NASCAR’s season kicks off with the Daytona 500.  One slight problem is the threat of rain.  Rain threatens the race both today and, if it’s postponed, tomorrow.   Rain outs are an awful way to end major races like the Daytona 500 or Indy 500.  Talk about a win with quotation marks.  The 2009 Daytona 500 was rained out and it was the start of a rough year for NASCAR that saw a loss of ratings and interest in the series.  The 2010 500 was also plagued by problems (pothole in track) and also was followed by a year of decreased ratings.  2011 saw an exciting 500 won by Trevor Bayne and the 2011 season saw an increase in ratings.  If this 500 is a trainwreck ended by rain, or delayed, will that dampen NASCAR’s momentum from the end of last season?