Add Feedback | Send this Article | Published 2/28/03

Graphic By: Matt Witherow

This is the inaugural contest of every NASCAR season. The race was stopped twice because of the rainy weather. Michael Waltrip was declared the leader, because he was the leader before the last rainout.

NASCAR officials tried to wait for the rain to stop.  However, when the cameras panned the sky, I agreed with the officials that the race should cease.

But why wasn't the race continued the next day?  It would have been a Monday, but the crews could get up early in the morning and finish the race. Then they could show the race in the afternoon on tape delay. If they did that, there would have been a clear-cut winner, and the drivers would feel better because they would know they finished the race. The drivers would not be wondering what might have been.