WeatherFanatics: Racing May Resume Tonight at Daytona 500

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Racing May Resume Tonight at Daytona 500

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist

February 23,2014; 7:14PM,EST

Showers and thunderstorms, including the threat of tornadoes, are affecting this year's Daytona 500.
While it has not rained the entire weekend, the thunderstorms occurred at the most inopportune time for the 56th running of The Great American Race.
Officials advised fans to clear the grandstands around 3 p.m. EST Sunday as a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado threatened the Daytona Beach area.
Additional thunderstorms followed for the remainder of the afternoon, leading to a longer delay.

"It is possible that officials will have to postpone the race until Monday. However, there are lights at Daytona International Speedway (unlike at most NASCAR tracks), so they could race later tonight after the showers and thunderstorms diminish," stated AccuWeather.com Meteorologist Alan Reppert.
A NASCAR official announced that 8:30 p.m. EST Sunday was a possible restart time for the race.
If the race needs to be completed on Monday, the weather could still be a factor with another shower or thunderstorm in the forecast.
Because of the slick tires, racing cannot occur when the track is wet.

The race has been shortened four times due to rain, during the years 1965, 1966, 2003 and 2009.
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However, following any early-race rain showers, fans, drivers and crews may not have to wait as long as in the past for a restart.
Equipment introduced to NASCAR during the 2013 season, known as the Air Titan, can be used to accelerate the drying process of the pavement over the older-technology jet dryers.
According to Motor Racing Network, "The machine speeds up the drying time by 80 percent."

Crews attempt to dry the track as they round Turn 4 during a rain delay in the NASCAR Daytona 500 auto race at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Sunday, Feb. 23, 2014. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)

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