The NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series head to the famed Talladega Superspeedway this weekend. Whether you are at the track or home, clear skies and brave drivers are keys to a successful weekend at Talladega. So, what does the forecast look like?
Talladega Superspeedway, located in Alabama, is the 2.66-mile sister track of Florida’s Daytona International Speedway. Talladega is known for its close racing, thanks to its wide track surface, and fast action, thanks to its 33 degrees of banking.
The NASCAR Cup Series first raced at Talladega in 1969 and has raced there twice a year since. The Xfinity Series joined the Cup Series at Talladega in 1992 and has done so since. However, the Xfinity Series did not host a second race at the facility until 2020, having done so ever since.
The weather can have an ill effect on racing at Talladega. While wet-weather tires are out of play, if it rains at Talladega, you want it before or after the race, as the track does not have lights, and a mid-race shower would likely pause or end the race.
Friday, April 25: Xfinity Series Qualifying on the CW [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 4:30 PM
Before the Race (12:00 PM – 4:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 84°F at 3:00 PM
Precipitation: 33% Chance From 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Wind: 7 mph
During the Race (4:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 85°F at 4:00 PM
Precipitation: 33% Chance From 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Wind: 6 to 5 mph
After the Race (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 85°F at 4:00 PM
Precipitation: 35% Chance From 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM
Wind: 3 to 2 mph
Saturday, April 26: Xfinity Series Ag-Pro 300 on the CW [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 3:00 PM
Before the Race (9:00 AM – 3:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 84°F at 3:00 PM
Precipitation: 24% Chance From 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM, 38% at 3:00 PM
Wind: 2 to 5 mph
During the Race (3:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 85°F at 4:00 PM
Precipitation: 38% Chance From 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Wind: 5 to 6 mph
After the Race (6:00 PM – 8:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 85°F at 4:00 PM
Precipitation: 38% Chance From 6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Wind: 5 to 2 mph
Sunday, April 27: Jack Link’s 500 on FOX [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 3:00 PM
Before the Race (10:00 AM – 2:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 86°F at 2:00 PM
Precipitation: 8% Chance From 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM, 15% at 1:00 PM
Wind: 5 to 6 mph
During the Race (2:00 PM – 6:00 PM)
Temperature: High of 86°F at 4:00 PM
Precipitation: 16% Chance From 2:00 PM to 6:00 PM
Wind: 5 to 6 mph
After the Race (6:00 PM – 9:00 PM)
Wind: 5 to 3 mph
Temperature: High of 83°F at 6:00 PM
Precipitation: 15% at 6:00 PM, 6% Chance From 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Recent Weather Events at Talladega: 2021 Bubba’s First Win
The final Gen 6 race at Talladega would prove to be one of historic proportions after a rainfall past the halfway mark scored an upset winner.
On a day when no driver led for multiple laps, it looked like anyone could win the race. Playoff contenders Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, and Christopher Bell all lead laps into the double digits and look like favorable drivers to lock into the next round of the playoffs.
However, after a late caution, the rain started to fall on lap 117, with Bubba Wallace as the leader. With the race past the halfway point and Talladega hopeless for a cleanup, Wallace would be awarded his and his team 23XI’s first win in the NASCAR Cup Series.
Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.
