The Food City 500 has currently been delayed due to inclement weather in the area. Rain moved into eastern Tennessee shortly after 10am this morning and is expected to stay in the area for most of the afternoon. NASCAR is hoping to still get the race in today but no expected start time has been announced. The good news is Bristol Motor Speedway is equipped with lights which will give NASCAR officials the option of racing into the late evening hours. If the race is not able to restart today, the race is expected to be postponed to Monday.
Outside of the immediate impact on the rain at Bristol Motor Speedway, the storm front also brought cold temperatures into the region. Temperatures are expected to dip into the lower 40’s by evening hours and hang around throughout the next few days. The colder temperatures will present some challenges for race teams and drivers once racing resumes because temperatures have been warm throughout all practices so far this week. Do not be surprised if drivers report ‘tight’ handling once the green flag drops. NASCAR officials did announce a competition caution at lap 50 of the Food City 500 which will give teams an early chance to work on their cars and assess tire wear. Hopefully we will get to see racing later today but at this point we are at the hands of Mother Nature.