Home/NASCAR

via Getty

via Getty

Weather is one of the main factors to look out for when out racing on ovals. Just this last weekend, the weather was fantastic for the 2023 season opener at the Daytona 500. However, this weekend we head out to the iconic Auto Club Speedway near Fontana, and, considering the pristine weather at Daytona, the story is completely different out here.

The weather wreaked havoc and postponed the Xfinity Series and Cup Series practice and subsequent qualifying. It was not just rain, but also snow that hindered an adrenalin-filled weekend. With all that took place on Saturday, people would be hoping for a sigh of relief on Sunday.

Despite that, as per National Weather Service, there seems to be a prediction for wet weather. However, the chances for the same lie at only 30%, that too in the afternoon.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Read More: Bubba Wallace Confesses Mistake Right After Tying the Knot With His Wife Amanda

But even if it does rain, it should not be more than a tenth of an inch. Overall, there will be some amount of cloud cover. There is an estimated low of 41 °F during the night. Winds would be coming in from the south, and that too would clear out by later tonight. This does make things look like everything would go according to plan.

What would happen if the Auto Club 400 race is marred by rain?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

In the offshoot, if it does rain, things can get pretty bad for the organizers. Considering that the Xfinity Series had already been pushed back to Sunday, in case rain comes in, further delays could be expected.

USA Today via Reuters

NASCAR doesn’t usually race in the rain. But even if the track is wet from an earlier shower, the race start can very well be delayed. This means we could see the Cup Series either be cut short to 100 laps instead of the regular 200. Since NASCAR would count it an official race only if half of the race was completed, this gives them a contingency plan in case things do get delayed.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

WATCH THIS STORY: “That’s Just Not Me” – Bubba Wallace Provides Fresh Details on His First Interaction With Michael Jordan

However, at the moment, it seems that we would be receiving a proper race in both the Xfinity and Cup Series. We hope that the weather remains such that there is no rain. After all, no one wants to see cars sliding around the track and causing massive wrecks.