I’ve been doing NASCAR weather for almost 6 years now and one saying I constantly hear from fans is, “If you are in a drought and need rain, just schedule a NASCAR race.” It appears that saying will be true this weekend as the NASCAR Nationwide and Sprint Cup series visit Phoenix International Raceway for the second race of the 2014 season. For the first time in over two months, Phoenix, Arizona will see its first measurable rain this weekend.
2014 NASCAR at Phoenix International Raceway weather: Rain in the desert
Phoenix, Arizona has gone nearly 70 straight days without any measurable rain, but what happens when NASCAR comes to town? They will get rain for the first time in over two months.
Strong storm system coming off the Pacific into California Friday morning will spread showers and thunderstorms across Arizona starting Friday and continue into Saturday and even Saturday night. This looks like these showers and possible storms will have an impact on Sprint Cup practice and qualifying Friday afternoon and evening.
Saturday will be the wettest day of the weekend with showers and thunderstorms possible for most of the day. The threat of rain begins to diminish and push east as we go into Saturday evening. While the rain is expected to cancel Nationwide qualifying and Sprint Cup practice Saturday morning and afternoon. I also think rain will postpone the Nationwide race Saturday afternoon. Can they eventually get the Nationwide race in on Saturday, maybe Saturday night? It’s possible as NASCAR has brought the Air Titan to Phoenix and Phoenix International Raceway has lights. it will all come down to whether or not the rain moves out quick enough Saturday afternoon and evening to get the race. in.
The good news in all of this is Sunday looks to be the driest of the weekend. While there’s a slight chance of isolated pop-up showers in the forecast for Sunday afternoon, I don’t see the rain problems this Sunday for the Sprint Cup race as we had last weekend in Daytona. Odd of a rain delay Sunday is less than 10 percent in my professional opinion.
With another weekend with rain in the forecast, follow me on Twitter @NASCAR_WXMAN and like me on Facebook for the latest Weather updates through out the weekend.
Conditions in Phoenix, AZ: Click here for Current Weather Conditions | Look at Doppler Radar | Mobile Friendly Site | Mobile Radar
FRIDAY:
12:45 p.m ET
Truck Series qualifying – Cloudy skies, chance of a shower– temp: 65
2:00 p.m ET
Sprint Cup Series practice – Cloudy skies, chance of a shower – temp: 70
5:00 p.m ET
Nationwide Series Final practice – Cloudy with possible shower– temp: 76
6:40 p.m ET
Sprint Cup Series Qualifying– Cloudy wit possible shower – temp: 72
SATURDAY:
11:00 a.m ET
Sprint Cup Series practice – Showers and possible thunderstorm – temp: 56
12:10 p.m ET
Nationwide Series qualifying – Showers and possible thunderstorm – temp: 58
2:00 p.m ET
Sprint Cup Series Final practice – Showers and possible thunderstorm – temp: 60
3:45 p.m ET
Nationwide Series race – Showers and possible thunderstorm – temp: 63
SUNDAY:
1 p.m ET
Sprint Cup pre-race – Sun and clouds – temp: 60
2 p.m ET
Sprint Cup pre-race – Sun and clouds – temp: 63
3 p.m ET
Sprint Cup race – Sun and clouds – temp: 64
4 p.m ET
Sprint Cup race – Sun and clouds – temp: 66
5 p.m ET
Sprint Cup race – Sun and clouds – temp: 66
6 p.m ET
Sprint Cup race – Sun and clouds – temp: 65
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