What’s Happening?

For the first time this season, the NASCAR Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series will be in separate locations, both locations where weather can be unpredictable. The Cup Series and Truck Series are in the Midwest at Gateway while the Xfinity Series is in the Pacific Northwest at Portland International Raceway. How is the weather looking for both events?

• World Wide Technology Raceway at Gateway Motorsports Park saw one of the strangest weather delays in NASCAR last season. Will we see those old-fashioned Midwest thunderstorms come through once again?
• Portland is in one of the rainiest parts of the country, the Pacific Northwest. Will we see rain tires used at the venue this weekend?

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Weekend Weather Forecast via National Weather Service

Saturday, June 1st – Truck Series at Gateway (1:30 PM ET/12:30 Local)

• Forecast: Showes and Possible a Thunderstorm Mainly Before 1 PM
• Temperature: High 73°F
• Rain: 59% at Noon; Dropping to 42% at 1 PM and below 30% after
• Wind: SE to SW 8-9 MPH

Saturday, June 1st – Xfinity Series at Portland (4:30 PM ET/1:30 PM Local)

• Forecast: Partly Sunny
• Temperature: High 70°F
• Rain: 4-6%
• Wind: WNW 2-6 MPH

Sunday, June 2nd – Cup Series at Gateway (3:30 PM ET/2:30 PM Local)

• Forecast: Mostly Sunny
• Temperature: High 83°F; Heat Index 84°F
• Rain: 8%
• Wind: SE 6 MPH

Gateway and Portland Weather History

Gateway staged one of the most excruciating and annoying weather delays in NASCAR in 2023. Isolated thunderstorms surrounding the track caused a lightning delay that lasted nearly three hours despite not a drop of rain falling at the track. The race eventually restarted, and there were no delays afterward. However, a power outage hindered both the broadcast and race teams on pit road.

The Pacific Northwest is notorious for its’ rainfall. This came to fruition in the first Xfinity Series race at Portland in 2022, where the rain tires were brought out. A.J. Allmendinger went on to win the race.

This article will be updated as the week goes on and the forecast changes.