NASCAR race weather updates: EchoPark Texas Grand Prix threatened by potential lightning; rain in forecast
Mother Nature must not like NASCAR much.
Weather can have a tendency to get in the way of NASCAR Cup Series races, and Sunday’s EchoPark Texas Grand Prix is no exception to the rule. With lightning threatening the start of the race, the first road course of 2021 may be marred by weather.
MORE: NASCAR EchoPark Texas Grand Prix updates, results and more
Earlier in the year, the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol was pushed back a day because of rain. On Sunday, NASCAR makes its debut at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, with rain expected — but lightning could throw a wrench into the circuit’s plans.
While teams have brought along their rain tires for today’s race, lightning is creeping towards the track, which could signal some danger for the start of the race on Sunday.
Sporting News will have the latest weather updates for this weekend’s race in Austin below (all times are Eastern):
NASCAR race weather updates
2:49 p.m.: Rain drops starting to fall but the race looks like it will get underway as scheduled.
2:20 p.m.: Showers are expected through the end of the day, making for a wet track, but the lightning may hold off for now:
1 PM CDT @COTA: 73°F, East winds, 9 mph. Light showers abt 2 miles SE of track, moderate showers, 5-6 miles, moving NW 20 mph. Showers expected thru the end of the day.
Closest lightning: 105 miles SSW of track
Working w/@NASCAR_Wxman pic.twitter.com/DmkSiOdIiz
— RaceWeather – Aaron Studwell, Ph.D. (@RaceWeather) May 23, 2021
1:10 p.m.: Thunderstorms may be in the Austin area around the start of the race. NASCAR has reportedly told teams to prepare for rain, and to fit cars with rain tires.
12 noon CDT @COTA: Light-moderate showers abt 15 miles SE of track, moving NW 20 mph. Showers expected thru the end of the day.
Closest lightning: 72 miles SSW of track
Working w/@NASCAR_WXMAN pic.twitter.com/qrxkveT6li
— RaceWeather – Aaron Studwell, Ph.D. (@RaceWeather) May 23, 2021
11:30 a.m.: Rain is in the forecast for Sunday’s race, with 70 percent chance of precipitation, with rain expected through the start of green flag at around 2:40 p.m. ET. Teams have rain tires on hand, in case things get wet. Qualifying session was fine, so no worries early on.
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