We are already two races into the 2024 NASCAR Cup season, and this is a first. To be precise, the drivers will reportedly be greeted by the season’s first dry race weekend. At a time when so many races are being interrupted by weather, it is gratifying to get a race weekend with no interruptions. Sure, all of the races so far, kicked off in dry conditions, but the last two race weekends were a race against the weather.
After the Daytona 500, the next race on the calendar is at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. As per reports, the weather at Atlanta is supposed to be a little cloudy, but will eventually turn sunny. When Saturday and Sunday arrive, the temperatures will hover around the high 60°F and 63°F.
Forecast for @ATLMotorSpdwy:
Clouds will give way to sun this afternoon – Hi 66
Saturday & Sunday ☀️ highs 60-63#NASCAR and enjoy— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) February 23, 2024
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Why the prospect of Atlanta being a dry race is exciting?
When the 2024 NASCAR season commenced, the Clash at the Coliseum had to be brought forward. This was because that Sunday was expected to witness a massive storm. Safe to say, it would have had serious repercussions on the Cup race and the fans. NASCAR proved that it really cared for driver safety and the fans’ enjoyment, so they brought the race forward. They also took the necessary steps to ensure that fans were compensated.
A week later, there was drama surrounding the Xfinity and Cup races. Once again, rain threatened to play spoilsport and forced schedule changes. Eventually, the Xfinity Series race was postponed to after the Daytona 500. In essence, fans were treated to a racing bonanza with two races to watch. Of course, refunding fans and accommodating them again would have been a real headache. However, the organizers proved that they were real troopers.
READ MORE: Daytona 500 Winner William Byron One of the Safest Drivers to Bet on Heading to Atlanta
Who is the favorite to win at the Atlanta Motor Speedway?
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Last year, Team Penske driver Joey Logano emerged victorious at the last Ambetter Health 400. However, the momentum is with William Byron, who not only won the Daytona 500 but also the last race at Atlanta in 2023, the Quaker State 400. Of course, it is difficult to predict who will win the race, considering that no one has put a wheel to the tarmac just yet. Once qualifying is done and dusted, people will have a clearer idea of who is the cream of the crop.
However, many drivers are not looking forward to the weekend. This is because reports suggest that there may be no practice session, and they will be thrown straight to qualifying.
Just like last year, there will be no practice at Daytona-summer, both Talladegas and both Atlantas. Teams likely wouldn't draft anyway as they wouldn't want to damage vehicles right before qualifying. (I'm for more practice than the current formats but that is why). https://t.co/km1fauTsny
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) February 21, 2024
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The reasoning behind this is that since Atlanta is now considered a superspeedway, there is very little benefit to practice without being in a draft.