This weekend, the roar of stock cars will resonate through the Appalachian foothills as NASCAR prepares for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. However, looming weather concerns could disrupt the anticipated night-time showdown. According to RaceWeather.net, led by Chief Meteorologist Dr. Aaron Studwell, there’s an increasing likelihood of scattered showers and thunderstorms sweeping through the Tri-Cities area on Saturday. Meanwhile, AccuWeather has forecasted only a 23% chance of rain. Still, unpredictable weather at Bristol has a history of causing last-minute chaos, much like a late-race caution.
Bristol at night, combined with rain and determined drivers, could lead to a chaotic race. The weather situation is a mixed bag. The heavy rain that drenched western North Carolina in recent days is now approaching eastern Tennessee. While Friday’s weather appears ideal, with sunny skies and temperatures expected to reach 77°F, making it perfect for the Xfinity Series regular-season finale, Saturday presents a different story. Dr. Studwell warns that an errant storm could potentially disrupt the Cup Series race, scheduled to start at 7:30 PM EDT. The bright side is that, for now, the rain seems to be concentrated to the north and east of the track.
As for the Round of 16 Playoff finale, the uncertainty around the exact timing and intensity of the rain remains. The weather models have yet to offer a definitive forecast, but fans might want to pack an umbrella just in case. With NASCAR ready to deploy its wet weather package if needed, the combination of rain, night racing, and Playoff pressure promises some unforgettable moments. Drivers facing the threat of elimination are sure to take risks, and if the rain holds off, the conditions will be perfect for some thrilling short-track racing.
Looking beyond the weekend, AccuWeather is predicting possible thunderstorms by Monday afternoon in the Bristol area. However, rain and Bristol have always had a complicated relationship. In the last 21 Cup races held at the track, at least 16 have been affected by rain in some way. Last year’s Night Race, which Denny Hamlin won, was even rescheduled to 6:30 PM on Saturday due to rain. Later in the season, at the Food City 500, Hamlin secured another victory, though the challenge there came from unusually rapid tire wear on a cooler concrete surface, not the weather.
Fortunately, NASCAR and its official tire partner, Goodyear, seem to have learned from past issues and are well-prepared for this weekend. This preparation could lead to an exciting and competitive race despite any weather challenges.
For the first time, NASCAR and Goodyear are equipped with 18-inch wet weather tires for the Bristol Night Race. If the rain does arrive, teams will have four sets of these specialized tires, potentially making tire strategy critical under wet conditions. Earlier this year, the wet weather package made its oval track debut at Richmond Raceway in March. In that race, cars started on rain tires before the track dried out, with Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) driver Denny Hamlin claiming victory.
June’s race at New Hampshire saw NASCAR’s longest-ever wet weather stint on an oval track, running for 219 laps before storms interrupted the event with 82 laps remaining. After a two-hour delay, the wet weather tires handled the rest of the race, with another JGR driver, Christopher Bell, emerging victorious.
So, the big question heading into the weekend is whether Bristol will see its first wet-weather race. The answer rests with Mother Nature. If rain does play a role on Saturday, a JGR driver could potentially pull off a third straight wet-weather victory at Bristol. With all eyes on the #11 car, driven by Denny Hamlin, fans will be eager to see if he can continue his wet-weather dominance on the high banks of Bristol.
Bristol Motor Speedway Weather Update: NASCAR Not Fully in the Clear as Scattered Thunderstorms Threaten Cup Show
