WeatherFanatics: Showers, Storms Could Put the Skids on Daytona 500

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist

February 22,2014; 7:20PM,EST

There is the risk of showers and thunderstorms affecting this year's Daytona 500 on Sunday, Feb. 23.
While it will not rain the entire weekend, a few downpours should be expected with possible delays in the 56th running of The Great American Race.
A front touching off a couple of showers and thunderstorms across central Florida on Saturday will linger overhead Sunday into Monday, bringing an ongoing chance of showers and thunderstorms
People should seek shelter as thunderstorms approach. If you can hear thunder, you are at risk for being hit by lightning.

According to Florida Weather Expert Dan Kottlowski, "While there could be a shower at any time on race day, the chance of more long-lasting drenching rain and a thunderstorm will be later in the day and during the evening at Daytona."
Early Sunday morning, enough moisture will be present for patchy fog to return and reduce visibility for motorists.
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Because of the slick tires, racing can not occur when the track is wet.
The race has been shortened four times due to rain, during the years 1965, 1966, 2003 and 2009.

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.

NASCAR crews use their new dryers to dry the wet track at the Talladega Superspeedway in Talladega, Ala., Saturday, May 4, 2013. (AP Photo/Rainier Ehrhardt)
According to Motor Racing Network, "The machine speeds up the drying time by 80 percent."
Temperatures for this weekend's racing activities are projected to peak to around 70 on Saturday and dip to near 60 at night. As long as the sun peaks out for a time on Sunday, temperatures will rebound to near 80.
"If there are multiple delays due to spotty showers or mishaps early in the event, then the risk of the downpours later on during Sunday could bring an early end to racing for the day, even with improved drying equipment," Kottlowski said.

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