What’s Happening?

NASCAR heads to New England this weekend for the circuit’s annual visit to New Hampshire Motor Speedway. New Hampshire often sees weather-related issues during race weekends. Will that continue?

• New Hampshire Motor Speedway opened in 1990 after Bob Bahre bought and renovated the Bryar Motorsports Park road course. In the early 1990s, the track hosted Xfinity Series standalone weekends before the Cup Series visited in 1993. New Hampshire has been a staple of the calendar since, and the track has now become a “Crown Jewel” for the NASCAR Whelen Modified Series.
• Being in the middle of the summer, hot weather often comes to New Hampshire. However, rain is often a factor as well, causing some interesting moments in recent years.
• Fans in New England are excited to see NASCAR returning this weekend. However, a rough weather weekend in 2023 caused some major apprehension.

Weekend Weather Forecast via National Weather Service

Saturday, June 22nd: Xfinity Series SciAps 200 (3:30 PM ET/Local)

• Forecast: Scattered Showers with Thunderstorms Possible
• Temperature: High 73°F
• Rain: 50-51%
• Wind: SE to E 5 MPH

Saturday, June 22nd: Whelen Modified Tour Morgan Son 100 (6:30 PM ET/Local)

• Forecast: Scattered Showers with Thunderstorms Possible
• Temperature: High around 70°F, Dropping into Upper-60s°F by Race End
• Rain: 52%
• Wind: E 3-5 MPH

Sunday, June 23rd: Cup Series USA Today 301 (2:30 PM ET/Local)

• Forecast: Showers and Possibly a Thunderstorm
• Temperature: High 77°F
• Rain: 78%
• Wind: SW 8-9 MPH

New Hampshire Weather History

Historic rainfall in New Hampshire forced NASCAR to postpone the 2023 race from Sunday to Monday. The rain caused flooding in the area, limiting access to the race track for fans, but the rain had let up by the time the race was supposed to start. The scenario caused a hilarious tongue-in-cheek rant from Dale Earnhardt Jr. on the Dale Jr. Download, as NASCAR decided not to use rain tires. Martin Truex Jr. ended up winning the Monday matinee.

New Hampshire also saw rain impact the 2021 race. NASCAR started the race, but rain hit the track just a few laps in, causing multiple cars to lose control in turn one. Aric Almirola eventually won the race, which was shortened by eight laps due to impending darkness.

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