news-record.com

LONG POND, Pa. -- Jimmie Johnson's White House visit will have to wait. So will the start of the Sprint Cup race at Pocono Raceway. Steady rain postponed Sunday's race and it has been rescheduled for 12:15 p.m. today. ESPN is scheduled to broadcast the race, beginning at noon.

Heavy rain hit the track Sunday morning. It let up about an hour before the scheduled 2 p.m. start and the sky brightened for driver introductions. The rain returned about 3:30 p.m. and soaked the surface again. There was light rain the rest of the afternoon, forcing the postponement.

There was also some concern about "weepers" -- water that seeps up through the track following heavy precipitation on the triangle track. Pocono does not have lights.

Johnson, the three-time defending Cup champion, was among a group of NASCAR drivers to be honored at the White House by President Barack Obama today. Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet was going to be parked at the White House. NASCAR spokesman Kerry Tharp said the date of a future visit was being discussed with White House officials.

It's the second postponement this year, following the Coca-Cola 600 in May.

"I just think being around another day won't be fun for anybody," Jamie McMurray said.