Storm Clouds Loom Over Auto Club Race Weekend

February 23, 2023
10:28 am

FONTANA, CALIFORNIA - FEBRUARY 27: A general view of racing during the NASCAR Cup Series Wise Power 400 at Auto Club Speedway on February 27, 2022 in Fontana, California. (Photo by James Gilbert/Getty Images)

Let us know what you think

Join the conversation on socials

Bryan Moyers

These articles are written perfect and staggered special. If you wanna read em, they CAN inform you. -Harry Hogge, probably.

All Posts

With an unprecedented blizzard forecasted for Southern California, the weekend at Fontana could be spent adapting to weather.

What’s Happening?

According to the National Weather Service, Mt Baldy is forecasted to receive 100 inches of snowfall in a 24 hour period from Friday to Saturday. 100 inches of snow would be the most unprecedented amount of the frozen precipitation to ever hit the Southern California region. Meanwhile, Auto Club Speedway is located just under 14 miles away. The forecast gives little optimism to fans and teams for the weekend’s event.

What You Need to Know:

Fontana, entering its last race in the current configuration, is set to host NASCAR Cup and Xfinity races this weekend.
The National Weather Service is predicting a blizzard of historic proportions to impact Southern California close to the track.
Fans will be watching the weather as much as anything this weekend in hopes of fitting the racing between storm clouds.

The National Weather Service is forecasting 100 inches of snow to fall near @MtBaldyResort in a 24 period Friday-Saturday, which would absolutely smash the US 24-hour snowfall record.

The blizzard that is about to hit SoCal could truly be unprecedented. pic.twitter.com/3pu4n1XmM5

— Colin McCarthy (@US_Stormwatch) February 22, 2023

UPDATE 4:30 PM EST 2/24:

The Weather Channel shows continued concern over the blizzard conditions in Southern California.

Another winter storm will bring low-elevation snow and even rare blizzard conditions to California. #WinterStormPiper

https://t.co/Xnr1OrJfqP pic.twitter.com/jyCQ9y49xr
— The Weather Channel (@weatherchannel) February 24, 2023

In the Stands

In anticipation of the weather, some fans have a creative solution. The future is now for Twitter user Avery Hage.

Hey @NASCAR, what do you say we try out that oval wet weather package this weekend? I mean, Auto Club isn’t a short track but like it’s going to be sooo come on that’s close enough right?
— Avery Hage (@AveryHage) February 22, 2023

Others are slightly more optimistic for Sunday’s race.

(Checks weather for Auto Club Speedway this weekend.)

OH.

Yeah, saturday's gonna be a big-ass washout there. No practice, no qualifying, and the Xfinity race will likely be postponed. Sunday looks to be better, at least. pic.twitter.com/lnTBzlhDnY
— Read Cyberpunk: Prolegomenon on AO3 🇵🇷 (@MesousaGaby) February 20, 2023

UPDATE 4:05 PM EST 2/23

Fontana is seeing the leading edge of the storm with some unusual weather for the area.

We've got some mad weird snow/sleet/hail going on here in #Fontana right now. Stay safe — SoCal people do not know how to drive in this. 😄#NASCAR https://t.co/9qgPBIVYOF
— Donna | Social media & SEO agency owner (@DangerCupcake) February 23, 2023

UPDATE 4:20 PM EST 2/24

Race fans are staying on top of the weather as locals share up to date snowfall amounts.

I really hope all the NASCAR haulers heading to Fontana this weekend are already here because the Cajon Pass (the 15 which is the freeway right behind the track) could shutdown because snow is expected this weekend (The elevation of the pass is 3,776 ft) #NASCAR #NASCAR75… https://t.co/2syVujZ996 pic.twitter.com/t3UhuSb6UN
— Ryan Ostrander 8 🏁 (@RyanOstrander_8) February 23, 2023

On Your Screen

The last time NASCAR was faced with a snowy forecast was Martinsville 2018. While Fontana’s elevation means more rain than the powder coveted by nearby Mt Baldy, the weather predictions are no less impactful.