What’s Happening?

It’s a double-header weekend for NASCAR as the Craftsman Truck Series, in their playoff cutoff race, and the NASCAR Cup Series head to Richmond Raceway. Whether you are at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for this weekend in Richmond, Virginia?

• Richmond Raceway is a NASCAR staple, hosting its first sanctioned race in 1953. Since the 1950s, the .75-mile track has seen almost every NASCAR Hall of Famer, car manufacturer, and driver race on its asphalt. Though it has had a rough past few seasons, Richmond remains a unique race on NASCAR’s 36-race schedule.
• The Cup Series first visited Richmond twice a season in 1959, and did so until 2020, due to COVID-19, before continuing the tradition until this season, when NASCAR stripped the track of its second race date. The Truck series has not raced at the track twice in a season since first visiting in 1995.
• Richmond has had a scattered history with weather, particularly in recent history.

Weekend Weather Forecast via the National Weather Service (All Listed Times Local EST)

Friday, August 15: Truck Series eero 250 on FS1 [TV] & NRN [Radio] – 7:30 PM

Before the Race (2:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 98°F at 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM
• Precipitation: 37% Chance From 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Wind: 6 mph

During the Race (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 87°F at 7:00 PM
• Precipitation: 37% Chance at 7:00 PM; 13% Chance From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
• Wind: 3 mph

After the Race (10:00 PM – 11:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 75°F at 10:00 PM
• Precipitation: 13% Chance From 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Wind: 2 mph

Saturday, August 16: Cup Series Cook Out 400 on USA [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 7:30 PM

Before the Race (2:00 PM – 7:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 85°F at 2:00 PM
• Precipitation: 22% Chance From 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
• Wind: 7 to 8 mph

During the Race (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 81°F at 7:00 PM
• Precipitation: 22% Chance at 7:00 PM
• Wind: 3 to 6 mph

After the Race (10:00 PM – 11:00 PM)

• Temperature: High of 74°F at 10:00 PM
• Precipitation: 3% Chance From 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM
• Wind: 3 mph

Recent Weather Events at Richmond Raceway

2024 – Wet Weather Tires Make Their Oval Debut

On the day of the spring 2024 race at Richmond Raceway, damp conditions saw the NASCAR Cup Series utilize wet-weather tires on an oval for the first time. Denny Hamlin would win this race after a dominant performance from teammate Martin Truex Jr., who led 228 of the race’s 407 total laps.

While many, including Truex, claim that Hamlin jumped the overtime restart, the most important takeaway from this race weekend was that it ultimately led to a deeper conversation about the impact of softer tires on short tracks.

Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.