Watkins Glen Weather Update: NASCAR Prepares for Another ‘Calm’ Playoff Weekend While Mother Nature Fixates on IndyCar

Sep 12, 2024 | 10:26 PM EDT

Link Copied!

Debate

What's Your Perspective On

Watkins Glen's perfect weather—Is this a sign that NASCAR is blessed compared to IndyCar's weather woes?

Watkins Glen International, the renowned racetrack of New York, is set to host the second race of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs opening round. This iconic track, known for its challenging layout and thrilling races, will be the stage for intense competition as drivers strive to secure their place in the championship. This year, the annual race has been rescheduled to September for the first time, making it a pivotal event in the NASCAR playoff series.

However, Watkins Glen does not have that bad a history with Mother Nature. Only one out of nine races has been weather-impacted; 1/9 (11%) has been weather-delayed, 0/9 has been postponed, and 0/9 has been weather-shortened. However, this season we have seen how rain and road course are a chaotic combination. The Chicago street race is one example, where Alex Bowman took the win after a chaotic race. However, there is a recent weather update for the Watkins Glen track bringing good news.

Mother Nature is going easy on Watkins Glen

Article continues below this ad

If you remember the Watkins Glen race of 2022, you remember how rain turned out for drivers. The race faced a significant delay because of lightning, pushing back the start by 90 minutes. When the drivers finally took to the track, it was drenched, posing a challenge for visibility. In a more recent example, the recent IndyCar race at the Glen was also delayed by six hours, accompanied by some scattered showers in between the races. However, the weather conditions for this NASCAR weekend are sunnier.

Polls of the day

Poll 1 of 5

Do you think Mother Nature will disrupt the NASCAR playoffs at Watkins Glen?

Yes, it's inevitable

No, the weather will hold up

Maybe, but it won't be significant

I hope not, we need a clean race

How do you feel about Kurt Busch's prolonged absence from NASCAR?

Worried

Sad

Angry

Indifferent

Whats your Perspective on:

Watkins Glen's perfect weather—Is this a sign that NASCAR is blessed compared to IndyCar's weather woes?

Have an interesting take?

Do you think Rick Hendrick's support will help McLaren's Zak Brown at Daytona 500?

Absolutely

Maybe

Not at all

Who cares?

Do you think Christopher Bell can maintain his performance despite the JGR veteran's injury?

Absolutely

No way

Only time will tell

He'll struggle

According to Race Weather’s recent X post, we are set for a rain-free racing weekend at The Glen. In the post, they wrote, “#NASCAR heads up to Watkins Glen International for the #GoBowlingAtTheGlen! It should be a beautiful weekend for racing in New York with sunny skies all weekend!”

#NASCAR heads up to @WGI for the #GoBowlingAtTheGlen! It should be a beautiful weekend for racing in New York with sunny skies all weekend!
Head to https://t.co/QCyBz7JOuN for the full forecast! pic.twitter.com/b9CAtc76bM
— RaceWeather (@RaceWeather) September 9, 2024

Expand Tweet

What’s your perspective on:

Watkins Glen's perfect weather—Is this a sign that NASCAR is blessed compared to IndyCar's weather woes?

Have an interesting take?

The day-wise weather update;

On Friday, which is the ARCA race, it’s mostly sunny skies. With temperatures reaching a high of 80 degrees and a low of around 58°F. More motorsports action will continue on Saturday with the Xfinity race.
The Xfinity race is predicted to be mostly sunny skies with a temperature reaching 79 degrees, and the track has no chance of rain. The temperature would not see a massive fall, as the lowest it will go is 61 degrees.
Lastly, Sunday will also be sunny as the second NASCAR Cup Series playoff race kicks off. The temperature will be at a high of 80 degrees, and there is no chance of rain. The track conditions for the race are expected to be favorable, with warmer temperatures and ample grip for the cars. As the event begins at 3 p.m. local time, the temperature may gradually decrease throughout the race. The lowest predicted temperature at the Cup race is 59 degrees. Speaking of conditions, they aren’t as favorable for another motorsports event scheduled for the weekend.

On the other hand, it is the IndyCar season finale in Nashville.

The entire weekend’s racing event is at risk of being disrupted due to inclement weather, primarily caused by Storm Francine. Friday is expected to experience significant rainfall and thunderstorms, with potential flooding and even isolated tornadoes. While the storm is anticipated to move away by Saturday, the weather conditions are unlikely to improve significantly. A qualifying day is also forecast to have thunderstorms and showers, with an 88% chance of rain. Although Sunday’s rain probability is lower at 40%, there’s still a risk of localized thunderstorms that could impact the race.

Although NASCAR does not have as many unknowns on the weather front as IndyCar, racing is still going to be unpredictable as Goodyear comes with a new tire compound.

Goodyear’s new tire compound at Watkins Glen

Speaking on the expected tire falloff, Greg Stucker, Goodyear’s director of racing, said, “That, of course, can mean more passing throughout the race. It’s always tricky on road courses as drivers take advantage of a limited number of ‘passing zones,’ so the increased fall-off should lead to more comers and goers as some drivers manage their tires and gain on the field as the runs go on.”

These aren’t the only changes, the track itself has changed too. NASCAR has modified the curbing at the “Bus Stop” section of the track to reduce the severity of the bumps and improve driver safety. The decision to make this change was influenced by feedback from drivers who experienced excessive G forces when going over the curbs in the previous year’s race using the Next-Gen car. By flattening the curbing and installing shorter rumble strips, NASCAR aims to create a smoother and safer racing surface. Ryan Blaney is positive about the changes.

Article continues below this ad

Ahead of the race weekend, Blaney said, “The changes to the track are not crazy. The bus stop entry curb is gone, so that’s gonna be different. Some of the rumbles they’ve got on the exit of the carousel in turn one will change a little bit, which I think is positive for the racing. You won’t be able to just blow turn one and bail out to the apron and still have speed, so it will take a little more precision.”

Article continues below this ad

Overall, racing is going to be exciting on The Glen. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below.

Debate

Mother Nature is going easy on Watkins Glen

Polls of the day

Whats your Perspective on:

Have an interesting take?

What’s your perspective on:

Have an interesting take?

Goodyear’s new tire compound at Watkins Glen

Trending

Denny Hamlin Remains Conflicted on “Strong Accusations” as He Uncovers Truth Behind Failing to Challenge Kyle Larson

Justin Marks Breaks Silence on Trackhouse Racing President’s Sudden Kaulig Racing Departure

Kyle Petty Warns Entire NASCAR Garage Against “Dangerous” Denny Hamlin’s Championship Fixation

“He Was Caught Red-Handed”- Fans Insinuate Joe Gibbs & Co. Cheating NASCAR After Bizarre Bristol Find

Richard Childress’ Grandson Could Land Major Cup Series Ticket Despite Losing Truck Series Duties