NASCAR was supposed to run the Bass Pro Shops NRA Bristol Night Race on Saturday night but the rain did not cooperate. Unfortunately, the weather on Sunday forecasts more rain at the track.
For NASCAR the good thing about Bristol Motor Speedway is that it dries nice and quick. For NASCAR the bad thing about Bristol is there is more rain expected in the area throughout the afternoon on Sunday.
After postponing the race Saturday night, NASCAR announced that it would resume at 1:00 PM on Sunday. According to the local forecast, rain is expected to be in the area of the track until around 8:00 PM ET tonight. That rain varies from hour to hour but remains somewhere between a 50-65 percent chance.
Be sure to follow along below with Beyond The Flag throughout the morning for weather and track updates. Also, don’t forget to head over to BTF to see who we picked to win the race today.
Bristol Weather & Track Updates
7:06 PM ET – The current rain cell shouldn’t be an issue.
4:25 PM ET – Drivers are in the cars and the radar looks decent. Let’s go racing!!
4:05 PM ET – Drivers told be report to cars no later than 4:20. This could be underway by about 4:35ish
3:55 PM ET – Rain has been done for about 10 minutes now. Track is being dried and teams are setting up pit boxes. NASCAR shooting to be ready at 4:30 PM
2:55 PM ET – Still raining and it looks like it will continue to rain until around 4:15 PM.
2:25 PM ET – The rain is back … track drying has stopped.
2:15 PM ET – Track drying continues as it appears NASCAR sees something in the radar that nobody else does.
2:05 PM ET – There is currently a break in the weather. NASCAR is attempting to dry the track. More weather is in the area though. This attempt could be futile.
1:35 PM ET – It only takes about 40 minutes to dry the track but rain will be off and on until around 5ish.
12:55 PM ET – It’s pouring at Bristol
12:45 PM ET – The rain continues to fall but appears to be getting lighter. NASCAR’s new plan is around 3:00 PM.
12:05 PM ET – The rains are upon us at Bristol
Next wave arrived sooner than I thought but will rain here for the next 45-60 min @BMSupdates pic.twitter.com/CVXv9WBwwg
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) August 21, 2016
11:45 AM ET – Good news, track looks ready to go for racing at 1:00 PM. Bad news … large rain cell heading towards the track.
11:15 AM ET – Cars were impounded last night so no morning tech today.
10:25 AM ET – Some have asked if the crews can make any changes to the cars …
They are going to allow us to change the air filter after we drove them around in the monsoon.. That's all. https://t.co/blt8rjT7jy
— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) August 21, 2016
9:25 AM ET – All current forecasts show NASCAR will struggle between 1:00 PM and 6:00 PM as rain is expected on and off. NASCAR would be better just holding for a later start time but I understand wanting to get it in sooner for those who traveled. Current forecast shows things look good after 6 or 7 tonight.
8:55 AM ET – NASCAR still has a lot of race to get in today, good thing there are lights here.
8:15 AM ET – No rain at the track currently and the racing surface appears to be in good shape. Resin has not been washed off of the track.
Good morning from Bristol. Race set to resume at 1pm (CNBC). AccuWeather says 45-60%chance rain to 8pm, then 25%. pic.twitter.com/5XkzFippJ8
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 21, 2016
7:45 AM ET – Weather says high 70’s at the track today, 50 percent chance of rain for almost the entire afternoon.
7:00 AM ET – The grandstands will open at 11:00 AM ET and the race is scheduled to resume at 1:00 PM ET if the weather permits it.