NASCAR returns to the Finger Lakes Region this weekend at Watkins Glen International. Will the weather wreak havoc this weekend like it has almost every NASCAR weekend this year? It looks like Mother Nature may give NASCAR fans a break this weekend.
Weekend Weather Forecast via National Weather Service
Friday, August 18: ARCA Menards Series General Tire 100 6:00 PM ET
- Forecast: Chance of Showers and Thunderstorms
- Temperature: Upper 60s°F
- Rain: 30%
- Wind: W at 9-13 MPH
Saturday, August 19: Xfinity Series Shriner’s Childrens 200 3:30 PM ET
- Forecast: Mostly Sunny
- Temperature: 71°F
- Rain: 13%
- Wind: NW at 11 MPH
Sunday, August 20: Cup Series Go Bowling.com @ The Glen 3:00 PM ET
- Forecast: Sunny
- Temperature: High 82°F
- Rain: 1%
- Wind: W at 7-8 MPH
Watkins Glen Weather History
Watkins Glen has been the site of some interesting weather moments in NASCAR history. The first time the Cup Series ever used rain tires in an event was at Watkins Glen in the 1990s. It was not during a race, but it was during a practice session.
Last season, the Cup Series ended up racing in the damp after a rain shower at Watkins Glen. The race was delayed slightly, but it was the first time that the Cup Series ever raced in wet conditions at Watkins Glen.
It looks like this weekend may not need rain tires at least for the Cup and Xfinity Series. We will have to see, and we know that weather does not always work in NASCAR fans’ favor.