It could be a close call whether or not the Indianapolis 500 gets underwaySunday afternoon without any hitches. With the possibility of a shower orthunderstorm dampening the track, the race could end up being delayed orshortened. The rain date for the race is Memorial Day, and even that day hasthe possibility of showers and thunderstorms.The reason for the potential showers and thunderstorms has to do with twoweather systems. One will be a cold front stalling across the Ohio Valley, andthe other will be the moisture from a system that has hit Florida this week. Ifthe front can have enough push to it, dry air will come in, and Sunday will bea nice day for the race. If the front just stalls over Indianapolis, thenSunday and Monday can be wet days.
A wet track would either delay or even shorten the Indianapolis 500. Conditionshave been so poor in some years that the finish of the race had to berescheduled for a later date, most recently in 1973, 1986 and 1997. Just in2007, the rain-shortened 500 had several rain delays before the race was calledafter heavy rainfall brought about a multi-car accident after 163 of the 200laps were completed.
The 93rd annual running of the "greatest spectacle in racing" is scheduledto begin this Sunday, May 24 at 1:00 p.m. in Speedway, Ind.
