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Weather Forecast for Watkins Glen NASCAR Weekend

WATKINS GLEN, NEW YORK - AUGUST 21: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 Kelley Blue Book Chevrolet, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at The Glen at Watkins Glen International on August 21, 2022 in Watkins Glen, New York. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

Kauy Ostlien

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Royal T Grafix

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What’s Happening?

The NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series return to Watkins Glen International this weekend. The NASCAR Cup Series is hosting its first Playoff race at the Glen, while the Xfinity Series is counting down the races until its Playoff begins. But will rain play a factor in this weekend’s plans?

Which Races Have Been the Most Impacted By Weather in Recent Years?

  • Watkins Glen International opened in 1956. Once a traditional “road course,” the 11-turn 2.45-mile permanent circuit in Watkins Glen, New York, is a staple of the NASCAR schedule. Many fans look forward to its late-season race date.
  • The NASCAR Cup Series first raced at Watkins Glen in 1957. However, the track did not become a yearly tradition until 1986. NASCAR has hosted a race every year since, except for the 2020 COVID-19 adjusted schedule.
  • The NASCAR Xfinity Series has raced at the Glen since 1991, with a gap from 2002 to 2004

Weekend Weather Forecast Via the National Weather Service

***Forecast will become available and fluctuate during race week and will be updated frequently

Saturday, September 14th: Xfinity Series Mission 200 at The Glen on USA (3:00 PM ET/Local)
  • Forecast: Sunny
  • Temperature: High of 84°F around the start of the race
  • Rain: 0% throughout the day
  • Wind: 2 to 6 mph, 6 mph around the start of the race

Sunday, September 15th: Go Bowling at The Glen on USA (3:00 PM ET/Local)
  • Forecast: Partly Cloudy/Sunny
  • Temperature: High of 84°F, 83°F around the start of the race
  • Rain: 0% to 2% throughout the day
  • Wind: 3 to 6 mph, 6 mph around the start of the race

Watkins Glen Weather History

Since 2014, one race at the Glen has seen significant rain. Prior to the 2022 race, the first Next Gen race at Watkins Glen, the track saw significant rainfall. While not a complete downpour, the Cup Series cars raced in the rain with the addition of windshield wipers and rain tires. Both weather items will be an option for the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series this weekend. The 2018 Xfinity Series race saw the cars race in the rain as well. However, this is the most significant weather-affected race at the Glen for the Xfinity Series in the past ten seasons.

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DARLINGTON, SOUTH CAROLINA - APRIL 06: Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, drives during the NASCAR Cup Series Goodyear 400 at Darlington Raceway on April 06, 2025 in Darlington, South Carolina. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)

Lionel Racing Reveals First Wave of 2026 NASCAR Authentics Diecast

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Lionel Racing finally confirmed the first wave of 2026 NASCAR Authentics 1:64 scale diecast for Monday morning, with the line of retail-exclusive diecast featuring a new look for the new year.

  • This line will include six throwback paint schemes from NASCAR’s 2025 throwback weekend at Darlington Raceway. Though they did not release one in 2025, this move restarts an annual tradition of Lionel releasing at least one wave of cars carrying the colors of that prior season’s throwback designs.
  • Included in this wave of cars are Austin Cindric, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Joey Logano, William Byron, and Sammy Smith. Alongside these paint schemes’ debuts in the Authentics line is a new design for the packaging of the 2026 line of NASCAR Authentics.
  • Last season was somewhat turbulent for Lionel as, alongside issues with tariffs, the brand only released three waves of NASCAR Autentics, one wave of NASCAR Autentics Winners Circle diecast, and two waves of Haulers.
  • Lionel announcing the first wave of 2026 early on in the new year is perhaps a sign that 2026 could return this line to its regular release schedule. The post from Lionel Racing also confirmed that the brand will announce another wave by the end of the week, further hinting at a recommitment to the Authentics line.

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SPARTA, KY - JUNE 26: Chase Pistone, driver of the #9 NTS Motorsports Chevrolet, talks with his crew during practice for the NASCAR Camping World Series UNOH 225 at Kentucky Speedway on June 26, 2014 in Sparta, Kentucky. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)

Chase Pistone, NASCAR Trucks and Nationwide Series Driver, Passes Away

by Kauy Ostlien

What’s Happening?

Chase Pistone, a former competitor on the short track racing circuit in addition to NASCAR’s National Series, has passed away. Pistone, now a successful Legends Car owner, was 42.

  • Chase’s brothers Nick and Tom Pistone confirmed the North Carolina natives’ passing to LegendsNation.com. The cause of Pistone’s passing is unknown. The family asked that media share the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline number, which is 988.
  • Pistone, the grandson of NASCAR legend “Tiger” Tom Pistone, made his way to NASCAR after competing on short tracks in Legends cars and Late Models. He would make his jump to NASCAR via the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series in 2005, racing for Green Light Racing at Martinsville Speedway.
  • Pistone would continue his NASCAR pursuits in 2006, racing in ARCA and the NASCAR Busch Series. Unfortunately, these two starts, at Martinsville with the Busch Series and Iowa with ARCA, would be his last for nearly a decade.
  • Pistone returned to NASCAR in 2014, racing in a combined eight NASCAR Camping World Truck and Nationwide Series races. During this season, his final in NASCAR, the then 30-year-old scored his best National Series finish, ninth place in the Truck Series annual trip to Gateway.

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8 Takeaways From NASCAR At COTA

by Bryan Aguiar

Three races in, the 2026 season is finally starting to show its hand. COTA shifted narratives, exposed weaknesses, and raised new questions about contenders, pretenders, and everything in between.

  • Has Shane van Gisbergen officially been proven mortal after getting outraced late at Circuit of the Americas?
  • Is 19-year-old Connor Zilisch already ahead of schedule after slicing through the field multiple times?
  • With three straight wins, is Tyler Reddick basically a lock for the postseason this early?
  • And how concerned should the 48 team be after a rough weekend for Alex Bowman?

From substitute drivers being forced into action to points gaps growing faster than expected, COTA delivered more than just a road course chess match. There were momentum swings, reputation hits, and at least one young driver stacking up enemies before stacking up results.

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