NASCAR Race Delayed to Wednesday Due to Snow

NASCAR has announced a delay for its upcoming preseason event, the Clash, due to severe snow conditions in North Carolina. Originally scheduled for Sunday at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, the race will now take place on Wednesday.

NASCAR Clash Rescheduled to Wednesday

The rescheduling was necessitated by one of the largest snowstorms the region has experienced in years. Winston-Salem received approximately eight inches of snow, while areas between Winston-Salem and Charlotte experienced snowfalls between 10 and 15 inches. This weather significantly impacted travel conditions, making it unsafe for teams and fans to reach the venue.

Race Event Details

• Practice and qualifying for the Clash will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET.
• Coverage on FOX will commence at 4:30 p.m. ET.
• A 75-lap last chance qualifying race will be held before the main event.
• The 200-lap main event is scheduled for 6 p.m. ET.

Impact of Weather Conditions

This significant snowstorm was not only the heaviest snowfall Winston-Salem had experienced since 2018 but also marked one of the top five single-day snowfalls in Charlotte’s history, with reported totals reaching 11 inches. In light of these conditions, NASCAR officials, including Clash manager Justin Swilling, collaborated with local city authorities and state transportation officials to determine the best course of action.

Swilling noted, “We wanted to give ourselves and the community time to recover from recent storms. Wednesday provides a safer option for everyone involved.”

Community and Fan Considerations

NASCAR initially considered running the event with fans present but ultimately decided against it to ensure safety. Swilling emphasized the importance of community involvement, stating that the experience is made special by both the competitors and fans. The anticipated warmer weather later in the week will assist in clearing up the roads and the stadium grounds.

As this is a preseason event, NASCAR is not under pressure to hold the race without fans, especially with the next significant event, the Daytona 500, set to begin the following week. With this in mind, officials are focused on ensuring a smooth transition to the rescheduled date.