NASCAR drivers concerned about rain racing in Playoffs at The ROVAL

A rain race is likely for this weekend at the Charlotte ROVAL

This weekend, the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series both unload for The Roval at Charlotte Motor Speedway.

It’s an elimination round for both divisions. Each are currently in the Round of 12 of the Playoffs with four drivers set to be eliminated after this weekends event.

I live in the area. Buckle up, we’re going rain racing. The weather is here!

Related: Roval TV Schedule

NASCAR doesn’t run rain racing events on any oval. However, the option has been there for a long time at road courses.

In 1995, the NASCAR Cup Series conducted a rain racing test session at Martinsville Speedway and Watkins Glen International.

1997, the Japanese exhibition event saw team qualify on wet tires. 2000, teams used wet weather tires during a practice session at Watkins Glen.

That’s it! It’s been 20 years since rain tires have been used in the NASCAR Cup Series.

Now, they’ll likely to bolting them on for a Playoff elimination race.

NASCAR rain racing rules

The NASCAR Xfinity Series has two sets of rain tires at the ready. The NASCAR Cup Series has four sets.

At the start of the event, the race director can call it a dry, damp or wet dry.

Wet:

-All vehicles must mount rain tires, activate their rear flashing light and have a working windshield wiper installed.

-Normal starting procedures follow.

Damp:

-All vehicles may elect to install rain tires at the crew chief’s discretion. The rear flashing light must be activated, and windshield wipers may be installed.

-Any team making a pit stop for rain tires on subsequent pace laps will forfeit their starting spot.

After the race is underway, crew chiefs have the choice of switching to slicks at any time.

Related: Roval Starting Lineup: October 2020 (NASCAR Cup Series)

Rainbow at Charlotte Motor Speedway - Rain delay
CONCORD, NORTH CAROLINA – MAY 28: A rainbow is seen during a rain delay of the NASCAR Cup Series Alsco Uniforms 500 at Charlotte Motor Speedway on May 28, 2020 in Concord, North Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Roval Forcast

Hurricane Delta is pushing rain through the area of North Carolina.

There’s a 61% chance of rain for Saturday. It’s expected to rain from 11am-3pm.

On Sunday, there’s a 51% chance. Rain is expected to fall from 1-2pm, right near the start of the event.

NASCAR drivers on rain racing

Martin Truex Jr: “Rain, I don’t know,” Truex said in a Thursday video conference. “I’ve never raced in the rain or in the wet, I guess you would call it.”

“With the Roval being the track that it is, I don’t know how that’s going to look.”

Truex added, “It’s already tough enough to stay on the track and make it to the end of that one, so I think if you make it to the wet, it’s going to be pretty wild. … Honestly, strategy-wise, there’s only so much you can do looking at the weather. For me, it’s just asking questions to the guys that have raced in the wet and be as prepared as I can if it comes to that.”

Clint Bowyer: “I’m gonna sneak in there and put a plug in the tunnel so it’ll just flood and that way we can’t race until Monday when the sun is out,” joked Clint Bowyer. 

Bowyer added, “I think if it does rain, boy, all hell is gonna break loose. There’s a lot of unknowns. I can say that — unknowns for all the above. Look out if it rains.”

Joey Logano: “If you’re asking me is it crazy? Yes, it’s crazy,” said Joey Logano.

“There’s no doubt about that, but it is fair. Everyone has the same opportunity.”

“I’ve been trying to figure out what to do in this case and making sure we’re prepared and all that, but it’s not like it’s an unfair advantage for somebody. Maybe someone that has some rain experience might have a bit of an advantage, but that’s because that person put them in a spot to get that experience at some point in their career. So, it’s hard to say it’s not fair. It’s fair, it’s just crazy.”

Links

Charlotte Motor Speedway | NASCAR

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