Storm disrupts weekend NASCAR schedule

RICHMOND, Va., Sept. 5 (UPI) -- Rains from Tropical Storm Hanna Friday forced NASCAR officials to postpone all of its scheduled activities this weekend until Sunday.

Shortly before qualifying was to have started for the Nationwide series race, the outer rainbands from the storm reached the Richmond International Raceway.

That race, which was to have been run Friday night, was pushed back until Sunday. So was the Sprint Cup Chevy Rock & Roll 400 race, which was to have been run Saturday night.

The Sprint Cup event was rescheduled for 1 p.m. EDT Sunday and the Nationwide race was set for 7 p.m. Sunday.

"We've postponed everything until Sunday in lieu of the weather and because of what all the state and local officials are telling us about the impending winds and rain," NASCAR spokesman Jim Hunter said.

Points leader Kyle Busch will start on the pole for the Sprint Cup race, which is the last event prior to the start of the 10-race playoff series.