NASCAR at Talladega: Rain, severe weather postpone the Geico 500 to Monday

For the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic shut down live sports globally, a NASCAR Cup Series race was scheduled to run with generally admitted fans in the stands, albeit in limited numbers. This relative return to normalcy comes at Talladega Superspeedway, NASCAR's biggest and arguably its most exciting track.

Mother nature had other ideas, though. Due to severe weather, Sunday's race at Talladega was postponed to Monday. It will begin at 3 p.m. ET on Fox.

When it does run, the race at Talladega will mark the first Cup Series event at a 2.5-mile superspeedway since the Daytona 500, which ended with Ryan Newman's terrifying crash on the last lap. That accident led to some superspeedway-specific rule changes that are being implemented for the first time this week at Talladega.

Because Ford and specifically Team Penske have been so dominant at Talladega of late, Brad Keselowski and Joey Logano are among the favorites to win Monday's Geico 500. Also a popular pick to win is Chase Elliott, who took the victory in the spring race at Talladega last season.

Of course, picking the winner of a NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega is the motorsports equivalent of throwing pegs at a dart board. The great equalizer that is pack racing should make for an exciting race that, with some speed and a little more luck, can be won by just about anybody.

MORE: Watch all NASCAR races live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

NASCAR at Talladega live updates, highlights from Geico 500

5:13 p.m. ET: NASCAR makes it official. The Geico 500 at Talladega Superspeedway had been postponed to Monday due to severe weather.

OFFICIAL: Due to rain, NASCAR Cup Series racing at Talladega has been postponed. See you tomorrow at 3p ET on FOX! pic.twitter.com/SqLwD8i1bR

— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) June 21, 2020

4:57 p.m. ET: As another storm cell approaches the track, a new lightning hold is put in place. Track drying efforts continue.

4:27 p.m. ET: The lightning hold has been lifted, and track trying efforts continue.

4 p.m. ET: NASCAR deploys its Air Titans and jet dryers to begin drying the track, but rain is still sprinkling with lightning still in the area.

NASCAR starting to dry track. Will need rest of rain to stay away and have no problems drying the track to get race in. pic.twitter.com/AmqMvADe9x

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 21, 2020

3:10 p.m. ET: More lightning at the track, plus additional reports of rain and heavy wind with a passing storm cell. NASCAR hopes the storm will pass relatively quickly, but the track has already been lost and will need to be dried.

More Lightning confirmed @TalladegaSuperS ! Take shelter! #lightning #storm #NASCAR Nature’s light show! pic.twitter.com/2c6garRnXa

— Tab Boyd (@Spotter_Tab) June 21, 2020

2:35 p.m. ET: Due to a lightning strike near the track, NASCAR puts a 30-minute hold on activity at Talladega. Here are some strong storms to the west of the track.

Radar as of 2:30 pm EDT - strong/severe storms near by - could see delay will monitor with @raceweather - if you’re at the track make note of the strength and lightning #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/7mlIVLL80V

— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) June 21, 2020

1:08 p.m. ET: NASCAR executive vice president Steve O'Donnell tweets a message in response to a massive Confederate flag banner with the words "Defund NASCAR" being flown by a plane over the track.

You won’t see a photo of a jackass flying a flag over the track here...but you will see this...Hope EVERYONE enjoys the race today. pic.twitter.com/ppwP1ggNjt

— Steve O'Donnell (@odsteve) June 21, 2020

Group opposed to #NASCAR #ConfederateFlag ban uses plane to fly large #ConfederateFlag over @TalladegaSuperS w/ "Defund @NASCAR" banner pic.twitter.com/aBW3ZL6EAR

— Jerry Jordan (@JerryJordan_KTT) June 21, 2020

10:37 a.m. ET: Joe Gibbs Racing showcases a special paint scheme for Denny Hamlin's No. 11 Toyota Camry. Courtesy of the team's primary sponsor FedEx, the all-black look features the logo of the National Civil Rights Museum on the hood of the car.

For today’s race, @FedEx has chosen to remove all of their branding and traditional colors, with this week’s theme being to listen and learn as they spotlight the @NCRMuseum, which they are featuring on the hood. pic.twitter.com/hfd5aGq2e9

— Joe Gibbs Racing (@JoeGibbsRacing) June 21, 2020

8:44 a.m. ET: Brian Neudorff, a meteorologist who provides weather forecasts for NASCAR races, warns that there are expected to be scattered thunderstorms in the Talladega, Ala., area on Sunday that could impact the race.

We will see isolated to scattered showers/storms this afternoon. I'd say odds of RACING today are 65-75 percent - will have to monitor radar through the afternoon with @RaceWeather for @TalladegaSuperS #NASCAR

— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) June 21, 2020

What time does the NASCAR race start Monday?

• Date: Sunday, June 21 Monday, June 22
•  Start time: 3 p.m. ET
• TV channel: Fox
• Live stream: Fox Sports Go | fuboTV (7-day free trial)

The green flag for Monday's postponed NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega will wave shortly after 3 p.m. ET.

Talladega, Ala., is located in the Central Time Zone, so the race's start time locally will be 2 p.m. ET. That's notable considering Talladega Superspeedway does not have lights in the event the race is delayed again.

MORE: Explaining NASCAR's new rules package for Talladega

NASCAR starting lineup at Talladega

Here are the results from the draw for NASCAR's starting lineup at Talladega: