Saturday night NASCAR is back as some of the cars in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series will be taking to the track for the Clash at Daytona. While NASCAR fans are rejoicing at the cars being back on the track, Mother Nature might have some different plans in mind.
All week is has been reported that rain is in the area for the Clash at Daytona. On Saturday night at the track there is a 70 percent chance of rain but there is still a window to get the race in.
Earlier in the evening the ARCA race was cut short due to the impeding threat of weather, a late-race crash and how close they were getting on time with the Clash scheduled to run following the ARCA race.
17 NASCAR Cup Series drivers are scheduled to run in the Clash Saturday night, including rookie Daniel Suarez. Suarez will be in the No. 19 machine that was driven by Carl Edwards in 2016. Saturday night will also be the first time that we get to see SHR in their new Ford’s. Danica Patrick, Kevin Harvick and Kurt Busch will all be in the Clash. The newest member of SHR, Clint Bowyer, will not be participating in the event.
Be sure to following along all night for weather and race updates as everyone hopes NASCAR will be able to get this event in tonight.
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9:30 PM ET – The Clash at Daytona has OFFICIALLY been POSTPONED. It will take place tomorrow at 11:00 AM ET. Qualifying will be at 3:00 PM ET tomorrow.
9:25 PM ET – Sunday’s forecast looks a lot better. Qualifying is also scheduled for tomorrow. No word on what the schedule would look like if the Clash is moved until tomorrow.
9:22 PM ET – The NASCAR officials think it will take 2.5 to 3 hours to dry the track. It also looks like more rain is coming in about 30 minutes. It doesn’t look like this race is going to happen tonight.
8:39 PM ET – The rain is beginning to break up though it will remain in the area for another 30 minutes or so. NASCAR should be able to start drying to track shortly, maybe around 9:00 or 9:15. If all remains as it is now and the track drying doesn’t take forever, we should see some racing tonight.
7:57 PM ET – The cars are covered and the current rain is expected to last until at least 9:00 PM ET. The back of this wave is weakening but don’t forget to factor in the time it takes to dry the track. If the rain stops right around 9:00 there is still some hope.
7:45 PM ET – The rain that is over the track now is expected to last about an hour but it could last closer to 90 minutes according to the weather service. The Clash will not be starting on time tonight but there is still a window to get the event in.
7:25 PM ET – Rain is approaching the track at about 35 MPH currently.
7:00 PM ET – As noted above, the ARCA race ended early due to several factors, the impending rain was one of those factors.