“They Will Have Rain Tires”: Big Blow for NASCAR as Clash at the Coliseum Gets Brutal Weather Update

Published 01/29/2024, 10:29 AM EST

The Busch Light Clash is inching closer with every passing second. NASCAR fans have geared up for the unofficial start of the 2024 season, with performances from top artists like Machine Gun Kelly and Dillon Francis to set the tone for the evening. However, as FOX Sports reporter Bob Pockrass reports, inclement weather has a significant chance of affecting the race as the uncertainty continues.

According to Pockrass, teams have also been informed about the same, and adequate preparations have been made. However, from the looks of it, NASCAR is trying to avoid racing in the rain. Pockrass also informed that the race officials hope to dry the track with their equipment and spray if needed. With the rains affecting a big chunk of races last season, fans would have expected a better start to the 2024 season.

Rain could spoil NASCAR’s plans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

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Throughout the off-season, NASCAR had cautiously planned the ideas to kick off the 2024 NASCAR season. From celebrity concerts to fan service events and even a free practice and qualifying race opportunity for the fans, the decision-making body has geared up well. However, Mother Nature has never complied with NASCAR’s plans.

Weather plays an integral role in sports, especially motor sports. Hotter surfaces mean tires will wear out faster, and the vehicle has little traction. On the other hand, when clouds surround the race track, cars will gain speed and grip. However, rainy weather is a different matter altogether. Water on the track can be unpredictable. To handle it, NASCAR cars use rain tires, wipers, and mud flaps. Speaking about the racing teams’ ability to handle adverse weather on February 5, Bob Pockrass tweeted,

“And I have gotten questions with forecasts all over the place for Sunday. They will have rain tires and defoggers but no wipers, lights, rain flaps. So wouldn’t race in the rain or if so wet there would be spray. But could race in the damp (and would think track dries quick).”

And I have gotten questions with forecasts all over the place for Sunday. They will have rain tires and defoggers but no wipers, lights, rain flaps. So wouldn’t race in the rain or if so wet there would be spray. But could race in the damp (and would think track dries quick). https://t.co/whjP0j9hhx
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 29, 2024

Fans might be forced to think that NASCAR is trying to avoid racing in damp conditions as much as possible. Considering how last season’s races unfolded, NASCAR’s decision might have a solid reason behind it.

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Inclement weather had affected a big portion of races in 2023

By the first week of August 2023, NASCAR had completed half its annual schedule. Starting the points collection from the Daytona 500, the season was heading into the second half. During that time, NASCAR held 25 race weekends in venues across the country, and 17 of them were delayed or shortened because of adverse weather conditions.

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While the season opened perfectly under the sun at the Coliseum, the Daytona International Speedway experienced severe rain before Friday’s Truck Series race. Similar conditions were experienced in 16 more races until mid-season, which irritated the drivers and the fans alike.

Inclement weather has affected 17 of NASCAR's 25 weekends in 2023.
The Clash, Las Vegas, Phoenix, COTA, Talladega, Kansas, Darlington & Sonoma weekends didn't have bad weather
Two weekends is the longest NASCAR has gone with good weather (LV-Phoenix, Kansas-Darlington) #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/duxTNqfHcS
— Jonathan Fjeld (@Jonathan_Fjeld) August 6, 2023

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With teams not adding mud flaps, defoggers, and wipers to their tool kit, the intentions of NASCAR are a mystery for the community. Some fans have complained about NASCAR’s hesitation to race on a wet track, while others have claimed that the return of the rain clouds signals the return of NASCAR. With a 70% chance of rainfall, NASCAR might have to address the issue very soon.

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Written by:

Ansuman Abhisek is a NASCAR Writer at EssentiallySports. Even before he made his way into the world of motorsports, he had already made a name for himself in the sports journalism field by working as a writer for a few media houses. Now, having covered multiple Cup races live, he has often been the first to report on-track incidents and also provide his readers with an in-depth analysis of the same.

Edited by:

Rohan Karnad

“They Will Have Rain Tires”: Big Blow for NASCAR as Clash at the Coliseum Gets Brutal Weather Update

Rain could spoil NASCAR’s plans at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum

Inclement weather had affected a big portion of races in 2023

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