Daytona 500 winner Matt Kenseth led for only two laps Sunday.
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Obviously, this was not the way NASCAR wanted to start its season. Matt Kenseth won the rain-shortened Daytona 500, but he must have felt like he backed into Victory Lane.

The thousands of fans at the track and millions watching on TV probably felt cheated when the 500-mile race was halted with 48 laps remaining, making it the Daytona 380.

Since the forecast was calling for rain throughout the evening and the top priority is safety, NASCAR officials made the right call by stopping the race. And since the rule states the race becomes official at the midway point -- or in this case, once 100 laps are complete -- Kenseth was rightfully declared the winner because he was leading at the time.

Before the race began, NASCAR officials should have known the forecast was calling for rain. In that case, it would have prudent to inform drivers and their teams that if the race had to be stopped, it would be completed on Monday.

NASCAR continually modifies the rulebook during the season. For instance, the stock car sanctioning body has tinkered with car aerodynamics in an attempt to level the playing field.

So to avoid a future embarrassment at Daytona, NASCAR should take the necessary steps to ensure its marquee race doesn't end up being a marred event.