This weekend, the roar of stock cars will fill the Appalachian foothills as NASCAR gears up for the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway. However, storm clouds could cast a shadow on the night’s excitement. Chief Meteorologist Dr. Aaron Studwell from raceweather.net warns that scattered showers and thunderstorms might move into the Tri-Cities area on Saturday.
AccuWeather forecasts a 23% chance of rain, but as history shows, precipitation at Bristol can be as unpredictable as a last-minute race caution.
Here’s the situation: the heavy rains that hit western North Carolina could shift towards eastern Tennessee. Friday is expected to be clear and sunny, with highs of 77°F—perfect for the Xfinity Series Food City 300 finale. But Saturday could be trickier. Dr. Studwell points out that a stray storm could potentially disrupt the Cup race, set to start at 7:30 PM EDT, though most of the rain appears to be hanging north and east of the track for now.
How will this affect the Round of 16 finale? Weather models are still uncertain, so packing an umbrella wouldn’t be a bad idea. If the wet weather package comes out, fans could be in for some dramatic moments, especially with the added pressure of playoff eliminations. Should the weather cooperate, ideal temperatures will set the stage for some classic short-track racing.
AccuWeather is also predicting possible thunderstorms by Monday, and Bristol’s history with rain is well-documented. Rain has interrupted 16 of the last 21 Cup races at the track, including last year’s Night Race, which was moved up due to rain. Denny Hamlin, the eventual winner, also triumphed at the Food City 500, though that race was affected by tire issues, not the weather.
Fortunately, NASCAR and Goodyear are prepared this time with 18-inch wet weather tires ready in case of rain. These tires could be critical if the skies open up, and tire strategy could play a big role. This year’s Richmond and New Hampshire races both saw rain tire action, with Joe Gibbs Racing drivers Denny Hamlin and Christopher Bell taking victories. The question remains: will Bristol see its first wet-weather race this weekend? And if so, could another JGR driver claim victory? Keep an eye on Hamlin’s #11 car.
WEATHER UPDATE: Scattered Storms Threaten to Disrupt NASCAR Cup Race at Bristol Motor Speedway!
