WeatherFanatics: Tornado Threat Puts the Skids on Daytona 500

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Tornado Threat Puts the Skids on Daytona 500

By Alex Sosnowski, Expert Senior Meteorologist

February 23,2014; 4:17PM,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 are occurring 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 as a thunderstorm capable of producing a tornado threatened the Daytona Beach area.
Additional thunderstorms will follow for the remainder of the afternoon, potentially leading to more delays.

People should seek shelter as any thunderstorms approach. If you can hear thunder, you are at risk for being struck by lightning.
"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.
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.
RELATED:
AccuWeather.com Daytona Beach, Fla., Forecast
Daytona Beach Interactive Radar
Severe Weather Watches, Warnings and Advisories
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."

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)

On Social Media

Tweets for this article AccuWeather Updates