It is likely getting a cell signal out of Daytona this afternoon was a bit “iffy”.  After all, how many phones lit up from the speedway area when NASCAR called the Daytona 500 until Monday at noon…? How many ticket holding NASCAR fans suddenly came down with dengue fever and just can’t make it in to work on Monday? How many hotel stays are being extended…? Airline tickets re-scheduled…? Pizzas being ordered…?

Important questions.

The other question you’ll hear pre-race on Monday is “How will this affect how you run today…?”

What a stupid question. It won’t change a thing. Once those engines are started and the laps start turning it won’t matter if it is Sunday or next Wednesday. After all, it is not as if the 43 drivers have something else to do and the second string has to come in. The Daytona 500 will still be the first points race of the Sprint Cup season and the winner will be on Letterman a day later.

So what…?

That question would apply more to the family who holds tickets in the Lockhart Tower than it does to any of the drivers. That family has to make a decision about staying for another day or getting back to work and school. Do you toss the money and tickets away for the weekend or do you stay and watch the thing?

Well… You stay, of course.

Unless this is your big vacation and the economy is in the tank and if you don’t make work Monday you could find yourself suddenly expendable on the workplace food chain. Unfortunately, that is likely the case for many ticket holders. Is an afternoon of left turns worth your job? Not likely.

Hopefully, most will find a way to make it back to the seats for Monday.

The Daytona 500 has not been put off a day through the past 53 schedules so this is a “first” for the start of the season. The race will run. There will be a winner. The only change will be the calendar day and the number of fans in the seats.

Instead of packing it in and shipping out, most can settle in and enjoy The Simpsons.

Unless your hotel room was sold out from under you. If that is the case… Well… We hope your car is comfy.

Let’s go racing… Monday.

Let’s go to work… Tuesday.