What’s Happening?
It’s a double-header weekend for NASCAR as the Xfinity Series and the NASCAR Cup Series head to Daytona International Speedway for their regular season finale. Whether you are at the track or home, what does the forecast look like for this weekend in Daytona Beach, Florida?
- Daytona International Speedway is viewed as the world center of racing for many reasons, with two of the NASCAR Cup Series’ most important dates. Since its 1959 opening, the track has seen countless underdogs and legends walk away winners.
- The summer races at Daytona are as legendary as the Daytona 500, with both the Xfinity Series race and the Cup Series race occurring for over two decades and six decades, respectively. But, in a break from tradition, the two races no longer hold the Fourth of July weekend, as NASCAR moved their dates to August in 2020.
- Daytona has perhaps the most unpredictable weather in NASCAR, with both the Summer race and the Daytona 500 having weather factors in multiple races during the past five seasons.
Weekend Weather Forecast via the National Weather Service (All Listed Times Local EST)
Friday, August 22: Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered By Coca-Cola on the CW [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 7:30 PM
Before the Race (2:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
- Temperature: High of 89°F at 2:00 PM
- Precipitation: 70% 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 84°F at 6:00 PM
- Precipitation: 70% Chance from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
- Wind: 5 to 8 mph
After the Race (10:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
- Temperature: High of 81°F at 10:00 PM
- Precipitation: 44% Chance From 10:00 PM to 11:00 PM
- Wind: 3 to 5 mph
Saturday, August 23: Coke Zero Sugar 400 on NBC [TV], Peacock [Streaming] & MRN [Radio] – 7:30 PM
Before the Race (2:00 PM – 7:00 PM)
- Temperature: High of 88°F at 2:00 PM
- Precipitation: 70% Chance from 2:00 PM to 7:00 PM
- Wind: 5 to 8 mph
During the Race (7:00 PM – 10:00 PM)
- Temperature: High of 84°F at 6:00 PM
- Precipitation: 70% Chance at 7:00 PM; 41% Chance from 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
- Wind: 5 to 8 mph
After the Race (10:00 PM – 11:00 PM)
- Temperature: High of 80°F at 10:00 PM
- Precipitation: 41% Chance From 10 PM to 11 PM
- Wind: 2 mph
Recent Weather Events at Richmond Raceway
2022 – Chaos in Turn One
Weather forced NASCAR to postpone the 2022 Coke Zero Sugar 400 to Sunday, but despite the postponement, the rain wasn’t done just yet. After several multicar incidents, with 23 to go, a slick track in turn one collected 13 cars and resulted in a three-hour red flag.
After this accident and the prior cautions, several fan favorites were out, leaving a field of mostly backmarker and underdog drivers. After Austin Cindric dominated the resumed portion of the race, a bump knocked the No. 2 loose, with Austin Dillon assuming the lead with three to go.
Dillon would ultimately win in front of an unlikely top ten that included Landon Cassill, Noah Gragason, Cody Ware, B.J. McLeod, and David Ragan.
Note: This article will be updated with a more accurate and detailed forecast as the race weekend nears.
