NASCAR returns to “Thunder Valley” in Eastern Tennessee this weekend. However, the weather is on the minds of those entering the race track this weekend. Will rain dampen the first cut-off race of the Cup Series Playoffs?

Weekend Weather Forecast (via National Weather Service)

Friday, September 15: Xfinity Series Food City 300 (7:30 PM ET)

• Forecast: Partly Cloudy
• Temperature: Low 70s°F, Dropping to Mid 60s°F by race end.
• Rain: 1%
• Wind: North Becoming East at 5 MPH

Saturday, September 16: Cup Series Bass Pro Shops Night Race (6:30 PM ET)

• Forecast: Chance of Showers and Thunderstorms
• Temperature: Low 70s°F, Dropping to mid 60s°F by race end.
• Rain: 48%
• Wind: SW at 5 MPH

Bristol Motor Speedway Weather History

Bristol’s Night Race has not been quite as messed up with the weather as the spring race has, but the night race has not been totally immune. Most recently, in 2016, the Night Race at Bristol was stopped early on because of rain. It was eventually postponed to Sunday and Kevin Harvick took home the win.

The strangest weather incident to happen in Bristol Motor Speedway history happened during an Xfinity Series race in the spring of 2006. During an early caution, snow came through the area and blanketed the track. The race was briefly delayed, but it did eventually run to its’ conclusion.

It seems that the weather is going to stay away from Bristol this weekend, at least for now. Things could change, and it would not be ideal for a cut-off race to be determined by weather. Will that happen again this weekend?