Heavy showers on Sunday morning at Pocono Raceway followed by persistent weepers - patches of moisture seeping up on the track surface - forced NASCAR officials to postpone the Sunoco Red Cross Pennsylvania 500 until noon (et) Monday.

After the rain ceased in the early afternoon, track drying efforts began with hopes of getting the 500-mile race underway in time to complete before sunset. However, intermittent sprinkles and weepers issues on the 2.5-mile triangular track made it impossible to dry for an appropriate start time. NASCAR officials called the race shortly after 4 p.m.

Since Friday's qualifying session at Pocono was rained out, Tony Stewart was awarded the pole based on owner points. However, Stewart will have to start from the rear of the field in a backup car after crashing in Saturday's practice. Jimmie Johnson, currently second in points, will lead the 43-car field to the green flag.

In June, Stewart also had to relinquish his pole position and start from the back of the field for the Pocono 500 after wrecking in final practice. Qualifying was cancelled for that event due to inclement weather. Stewart gambled on fuel late in the race en route to his first victory as driver and owner.

The weather forecast for tomorrow's race looks much better with partly cloudy skies and only a 10 percent chance of rain.