What’s Happening?

Michigan International Speedway will host its first race of the NASCAR season this weekend. The NASCAR Cup Series and NASCAR Xfinity Series enter the Irish Hills of Michigan, with both series fighting toward the NASCAR Playoffs. Driver and teams will be ready to fight on the track, but will they also have to fight the weather?

• The NASCAR Cup Series has raced at MIS since 1968, and the Xfinity Series since 1992. The 2-mile oval has a fast history of historical races in multiple series. Ford is on a Cup Series winning streak at MIS, winning nine straight races.
• The Cup Series hosted two races annually at MIS until 2021 when it retained its fall date. Then, the Xfinity Series moved its race to the fall, setting up MIS as a significant stepping stone for each series’ playoffs. The Xfinity Series is six races from its playoffs, and the NASCAR Cup Series is just three away, with just a few spots left in each; this is a big race for multiple teams.
• MIS saw rain as recently as last season, with the Cup Series race delayed until Monday after being initially put on hold.

Weekend Weather Forecast Via The National Weather Service

***Forecast will become available and fluctuate during race week and will be updated frequently

Saturday, August 17th: Xfinity Series Cabo Wabo 250 (3:30 PM  ET/Local)

• Forecast: Cloudy, chance of rain
• Temperature: High of 75°F, 66°F by the start of the race
• Rain: A high of 80% at 2 p.m., dropping to 27% around 8 p.m.
• Wind: 11 mph dropping 7 mph

Sunday, August 18th: Cup Series FireKeepers Casino 400 (2:30 PM ET/Local)

• Forecast: Cloudy, Chance of rain all-day
• Temperature: High of 77°F by the start of the race
• Rain: A high of 76% at 2 p.m., dropping to 17% around 8 p.m.
• Wind: 10 mph dropping 5 mph

Michigan Weather History

Michigan has had one notable weather-affected race in the past ten years. The 2018 spring race in Michigan saw a rain delay 133 laps into the race. NASCAR would ultimately call the event, with Clint Bowyer leading. This race began Ford’s streak of wins at the track in the Cup Series and was Bowyer’s final career win.