Weather Forecast for NASCAR’s 2025 Return to Rockingham

HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 09: A general view of the garage area during a rain delay to qualifying for the NASCAR Xfinity Series Alsco Uniforms 250 at Atlanta Motor Speedway on July 09, 2022 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images)
Photo by Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

What’s Happening?

NASCAR is finally returning to Rockingham Speedway for the first time in years. However, will poor weather spoil the return? Here’s what you need to know if you’re headed to the track this weekend.

  • Rockingham Speedway, located in Rockingham, North Carolina, opened in 1965. The 1.017-mile speedway is one of the most unique of its kind. However, this was not enough to keep it on the National Series schedule, as in 2004, NASCAR abandoned the track.
  • Prior to this departure, the Xfinity Series had a long, storied history at the Rock, dating back to 1982. However, the truck series had not raced at the track, that was until 2012, when the series debuted at the track, marking the venue’s first race since 2004.
  • The Trucks left the Rock after 2013, and after years left to rust and age, the track has undergone a history-altering refresh. This weekend is surely going to be one to remember for NASCAR fans for years to come.

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

Friday, April 18 Black’s Tire 200 on FS1 [TV] & NASCAR Radio Network [Radio] – 7:00 PM

Before the Race (12:00 PM – 5:00 PM)

  • Temperature: High of 78°F at 4:00 PM
  • Precipitation: 3% Chance From 3:00 PM to 5:00 PM
  • Wind: 9 to 14 mph, Gusts of 23 mph

During the Race (5:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

  • Temperature: High of 78°F at 4:00 PM
  • Precipitation: 3% Chance From 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Wind: 11 to 14 mph, Gusts of 23 mph

After the Race (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

  • Temperature: High of 78°F at 4:00 PM
  • Precipitation: 2% Chance From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
  • Wind: 9 to 10 mph, Gusts of 21 mph

Saturday, April 25 Xfinity Series North Carolina Education Lottery 250 presented by Black’s Tire on the CW [TV] & MRN [Radio] – 5:00 PM

Before the Race (11:00 AM – 4:00 PM)

  • Temperature: High of 83°F at 4:00 PM
  • Precipitation: 20% Chance From 3:00 PM to 4:00 PM
  • Wind: 9 to 11 mph, Gusts of 21 mph

During the Race (4:00 PM – 8:00 PM)

  • Temperature: High of 83°F at 4:00 PM
  • Precipitation: 20% Chance From 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM
  • Wind: 10 to 11 mph, Gusts of 21 mph

After the Race (8:00 PM – 10:00 PM)

  • Temperature: High of 83°F at 4:00 PM
  • Precipitation: 19% Chance From 8:00 PM to 10:00 PM
  • Wind: 7 to 9 mph

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

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Chris Gabehart and Denny Hamlin

Chris Gabehart Responds to JGR’s Lawsuit

What’s Happening?

Chris Gabehart has responded to Joe Gibbs Racing’s lawsuit, strongly denying the allegations and calling the claims “false,” “frivolous,” and “retaliatory” in a public statement released this Friday.

After the lawsuit became public, on Thursday, Gabehart spoke out for the first time, stating that he did not share any confidential JGR information with Spire Motorsports or any third parties and that he intends to prove that in court. He also said a third-party forensic review of his personal devices found no evidence supporting the accusations, adding that JGR declined an offer to examine Spire’s systems before filing suit.

“Yesterday afternoon, Joe Gibbs Racing filed a lawsuit claiming — falsely — that I shared JGR confidential information with Spire Motorsports and/or other unnamed third parties… I feel compelled to speak out today and forcefully and emphatically deny these frivolous and retaliatory claims.”

Gabehart said he will address the matter further in a formal legal response in the coming days.

You can learn more about the lawsuit, why it started and all the context surrounding it in the article linked below

What Happens if it Rains at Atlanta This Weekend?

What’s Happening?

Weather could play a major role in the NASCAR weekend at EchoPark Speedway, with current forecasts calling for a 40% chance of rain Saturday afternoon and increasing to 55% in the evening. While conditions are expected to improve, contingency plans are already in place in case races cannot be completed as scheduled

If Saturday Goes as Planned
  • All scheduled events run normally across the NASCAR Truck Series, O’Reilly Series, and Cup Series
  • No changes to Sunday’s schedule
If One Saturday Race Is Postponed
  • The delayed race would move to Sunday morning
  • It would run before the Cup Series race
  • Other races remain in their original slots
If Both Saturday Races Are Postponed
  • Sunday becomes a tripleheader, with the expected running order being: 1. O’Reilly Series, 2. Cup Series, 3. Truck Series
  • Schedule subject to change depending on conditions

NASCAR has not announced any official schedule changes yet, as decisions will be based on how conditions develop in real time. With rain chances increasing through Saturday afternoon and evening, teams are preparing for multiple outcomes, and Sunday is expected to serve as the primary backup window if events can’t be completed as planned.

Conditions are constantly being monitored, but fans should be prepared for possible schedule adjustments throughout the weekend. We’ll keep you updated throughout the race weekend here on The Daily Downforce

Joe Gibbs Racing/Chris Gabehart Lawsuit is WILD | Complete Breakdown

Just when things finally seemed to calm down in the NASCAR garage, a bombshell dropped. Joe Gibbs Racing is officially suing former competition director Chris Gabehart, and the allegations are serious. Power struggles, confidential data, secret photos, and a potential move to Spire Motorsports.

  • What exactly is Joe Gibbs Racing accusing Gabehart of taking?
  • Did a disagreement with Joe Gibbs spark this entire fallout?
  • How deep does the alleged data access really go?
  • And the biggest question: how badly does Spire still want him now?

From competition department tension to an $8 million damages figure, this lawsuit could have major implications beyond just one team. Gabehart helped elevate Denny Hamlin back into championship form and played a key role in JGR’s recent success, which makes this split even more shocking. This preview only scratches the surface. The full breakdown dives into the timeline, the alleged evidence, and what this could mean for the Cup Series balance of power moving forward. Watch the full video to learn much more

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