Monday is looking much colder but drier for the Food City 500 at Bristol

Rain forced NASCAR to postpone the rest of the Food City 500 at Bristol Motor Speedway to Monday afternoon. The race is scheduled to restart on lap 206 at 1 p.m. EDT Monday afternoon.

To be honest, given the data late Saturday night into early Sunday morning I didn’t think NASCAR had a chance to get 205 laps complete but there were enough breaks and an outstanding job by the NASCAR Air Titans to get the track raceable during those breaks. That’s one of the reason we had odds of racing at around 20 percent. While not likely there was still a chance.

Looking ahead to Monday, the weather looks to be much colder as temperatures will be in the low 40s most of the afternoon. Any fans going to the race will want to dress warm. Winds will be strong and out of the west between 10 to 20 mph and gusting to near 25 mph and could make it feel like it is in the 30s.

There is a chance of a couple showers during the morning and then again in the afternoon. Here are the odds of racing for the remainder of the Food City 500:
An official race (completing stage 2) - 75 percent
A complete race (all 500 laps complete) - 60 percent
Odds of a delay or stoppage - 35 percent

Why is it lower for a complete race versus an official race? While bulk of the rain is done by morning a few lingering showers are possible, maybe some mist or drizzle, and we could see some of the activity increase late afternoon and evening. Overall I think we can get this race complete but going to leave room for a possible delay or two.

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All times ET

MONDAY
1 p.m. — Food City 500
Forecast: Cold and windy, chance of a light rain shower or possible mist or drizzle
Winds: West 10-20 Gust 25 mph
Temperature: 43

2 p.m. — Food City 500
Forecast: Cold and windy, chance of a light rain shower or possible mist or drizzle
Winds: West 10-20 Gust 25 mph
Temperature: 43

3 p.m. — Food City 500
Forecast: Cold and windy, chance of a light rain shower or possible mist or drizzle
Winds: West 10-20 Gust 25 mph
Temperature: 42