Daytona 500 put off until Monday night

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla., Feb. 27 (UPI) -- Poor weather conditions in Florida led race officials to push the start of the Daytona 500, already delayed by a day, to Monday night.

The race was scheduled for Sunday but persistent rains led to a postponement until noon EST Monday. By midmorning Monday, however, officials decided conditions wouldn't be good until much later.

The race was rescheduled for a 7 p.m. EST start.

"While we're suspending the start from noon to 7 ET, we're not suspending our efforts," NASCAR President Mike Helton said via Twitter. "We'll be working all day."

Carl Edwards will start at the pole position, leading a field of 43 cars.

Trevor Bayne won the 2011 edition of the Daytona 500.