Bojangles’ Southern 500 at Darlington 2017 weekend weather forecast

Showers and thunderstorms to start a NASCAR weekend are not uncommon, but when they are associated with the name “Harvey,” people notice. As the center of circulation once associated with Harvey works into Tennessee and Kentucky, bands of moisture wrapping around will be what we’ll have to watch.

Our best shot of seeing showers and storms Friday will be toward the afternoon and maybe even late afternoon and early evening. This could give enough of a window to get practice complete for both the XFINITY and Monster Energy Cup Series. The earlier practices between noon and 2 p.m. have a better chance than the later and final practices for both series.

The main concern with storms that form Friday afternoon and evening is some could be strong to severe and also produce tornadoes. These storms associated with Harvey on Thursday produced numerous tornado warnings from Mississippi and Alabama and into Tennessee.

Odds of practice and on-track activities Friday at Darlington: 65 percent.

Saturday at Darlington is definitely drier. Other than an isolated storm or two in the afternoon, I am not overly concerned by storms or rain.

Odds of racing the XFINITY race: Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200: 90 percent.

Sunday for the NASCAR Monster Energy Bojangles’ Southern 500 the weather looks nice and warm with lots of sunshine during the day. There may be a few more clouds into the evening, but we should not have to worry about Mother Nature.

Odds of racing the Bojangles’ Southern 500: 100 percent.

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All times Eastern

FRIDAY:
Noon — XFINITY Series practice
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - possible shower or t’storm
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Temperature: 82

1 p.m. — Cup Series practice
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - possible shower or t’storm
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Temperature: 83

2:30 p.m. — XFINITY Series final practice
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - possible shower or t’storm
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Temperature: 84

3:30 p.m. — Cup Series final practice
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - possible shower or t’storm
Winds: South 5-10 mph
Temperature: 84

SATURDAY:
Noon — XFINITY Series qualifying
Forecast: Partly sunny - slight chance of an isolated t’storm
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Temperature: 82

2 p.m. — Cup Series qualifying
Forecast: Partly sunny - slight chance of an isolated t’storm
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Temperature: 85

3:30 p.m. — XFINITY race: Sport Clips Haircuts VFW 200
Forecast: Partly sunny - slight chance of an isolated t’storm
Winds: Southwest 5-10 mph
Temperature: 86

SUNDAY:
5 p.m. — Bojangles’ Southern 500, pre-race
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Temperature: 84

6 p.m. — Bojangles’ Southern 500
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Temperature: 82

7 p.m. — Bojangles’ Southern 500
Forecast: Mostly sunny
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Temperature: 80

8 p.m. — Bojangles’ Southern 500
Forecast: Mostly Clear
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Temperature: 77

9 p.m. — Bojangles’ Southern 500
Forecast: Mostly Clear
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Temperature: 74

10 p.m. — Bojangles’ Southern 500
Forecast: Mostly Clear
Winds: West 5-10 mph
Temperature: 73