As showers and thunderstorms were forecast to continue through the afternoon, a few die-hard NASCAR fans waited outside the entrance gates to NASCAR’s street race Sunday morning, wondering why they weren’t being allowed inside to take cover under the large event tents.

“Even when it’s raining they let you in, take shelter under the bleachers,” said Matthew McGivney of Indiana, who said he was surprised there was less consideration shown to the waiting fans compared with other NASCAR events. “It’s like no coordination here. I know it’s the first year and all. See, I’ve been in a lot of races. Unorganized.”

The storms that triggered the postponement of Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race carried over to Sunday, causing further delays and uncertainty as staff struggled to communicate with fans about the future of the historic street race.

The morning was supposed to start with the resumption of the Xfinity race, which was cut short Saturday because of lightning. That race start was quickly pushed back Sunday when torrential rains left race technicians holed up in their trailers and fans waiting in coffee shops on Michigan Avenue. Standing water covered parts of the track.

The main event — NASCAR Cup Series Grant Park 220 — is scheduled to start at 4:05 p.m.

Earlier in the week, at a news conference with the Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications, president of the NASCAR Chicago Street Course Julie Giese said the cars had a “wet weather package” that allowed the race to continue in the rain. The cars cannot race in lightning or during floods.

“I’m more optimistic about the second race. I think this first one is going to be a wash,” Chris Howard from Olathe, Kansas, said, noting he spent around $400 in cash on seeing this race plus points for his hotel stay.

Northeast Cook County is under a flash flood warning until 3:15 p.m., with officials advising to avoid nonessential travel until water recedes. Officials said roads and streets could be flooded, with some parts of the county receiving one inch of rain. Heavy downpours occurred throughout the morning and into the early afternoon, reducing visibility on highways. A few strong to severe thunderstorms were possible south of I-80 with a risk for hail and damaging wind gusts.

[ [Don’t miss] ‘Chicago’s a driving city.’ NASCAR Chicago Street Race opens to big crowds — but storms postpone some events. ]

Many race fans said they were frustrated by the lack of clarity from race coordinators as gates remained closed for nearly two hours after they were originally supposed to open and umbrellas were not allowed inside.

“They are doing the best that they can to communicate with fans,” Jack Brinson from Atlanta said while he waiting in the downpour under a cellophane poncho. “I kind of wish at this point they can let us all in … and let us stay in there until we are safe.”

Someone asked if they were giving out ponchos. The response was no.

The delays left some wondering about the financial implications of the next several hours.

“I hope it doesn’t get canceled,” said Chicagoan Labdhi Jain after posing for a photo with her sister and mom. At the same time, she sees a positive in the alternative. “I think if the race gets canceled we get reimbursement. But if it doesn’t then we don’t.”

Michelle Bacus and her son sported matching animal umbrellas as they left the line to dry up.

They’re both from Chicago and bought VIP passes for the weekend to celebrate her son’s 11th birthday — Denny Hamlin drives the No. 11 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing and is also his favorite racer.

“When things were running smoothly, it was incredibly well done,” Bacus said. “So it’s just you know, you can’t control the weather and it’s a disappointment.”

[ [Don’t miss] NASCAR Chicago Street Race: What to know about the 12-turn, 2.2-mile course around the city ]

Bacus said this weekend was one of the “most expensive things we’ve ever done,” but they’re hopeful this afternoon’s race will still go on. Besides the rain, they said this weekend has had more positives than negatives.

“Today is just sort of null and void. You can’t really judge it because there’s nothing you do,” she said.

Bacus said the communication from NASCAR should be better. The many jurisdictions of the Chicago Park District, Chicago Police Department and NASCAR officials made the day frustrating, she said.

“There was all these different levels of people, and nobody was getting one message,” Bacus said. “So everybody’s been telling you different things.”

NASCAR needs the Park District to sign off on a possible postponement into Monday. The Park District could not be immediately reached for comment.

vla@chicagotribune.com

hsanders@chicagotribune.com