The calendar says it’s spring, but the east coast isn’t feeling that way yet, and that could mean weather not conducive to racing in Martinsville this weekend.
Spring officially began on March 20, but with a massive storm system still pummeling the eastern part of the U.S. with snow, it still feels a lot like winter for many people (including this writer in central Pennsylvania). It’s even possible that wintry weather might not let up in time for racing this weekend in Martinsville, though for the time being, it appears the STP 500 should be okay.
As the Sporting News reports, a snow delay of a NASCAR race is a pretty rare occurrence. In fact, it’s been a decade since snow last messed up a race weekend, and even that only played havoc with qualifying and practice.
This weekend could be different. The forecast for Saturday per Weather.com calls for a 100 percent chance of precipitation, which could be rain, snow or a mix. If it’s the latter, it could be 1-3 inches that falls, though even rain would obviously mean no racing.
That’s significant because even though the STP 500 isn’t until Sunday, this is supposed to be the first “enhanced schedule” stop of the 2018 NASCAR Cup Series season, with drivers getting in two practice sessions and Busch Pole Award qualifying on Saturday. If snow wipes out all that plus the Camping World Truck Series race, that could lead to a busy Sunday. And it goes without saying that if this forecast is off by a day, it could be a real mess.
Next: STP 500 entry list for Martinsville
It’s hard to even think about racing while shoveling out from a whole bunch of springtime snow, but that’s what people on the east coast are dealing with right now. Here’s hoping Mother Nature cuts everyone some slack soon, including everyone headed to Martinsville Speedway.