Welcome to FT.

Let me get this straight...originally it was delayed due to mechanical, then once the plane was all set to go, the weather was delaying the MCI-ATL flight?

Well, this response is based on what I just said above is true.

You elected to stay in MCI and to not go to ATL. Your decision, and that is something in the past already. DL would have been more likely to get you a hotel there, because you are somewhere on your way back home. If I were you, I would've went to ATL and asked DL to get me a hotel there. IMO, you are essentially asking compensation for your own decisions.

If you went on the MCI-ATL flight, misconnected in ATL, just say "I missed my connecting flight, because this flight was late due to a mechanical delay" you wouldve gotten a free hotel room and be on the next flight to HSV. Simple as that.