The beginning time for the Daytona 500 has been moved up an hour attributable to potential climate hazards on Sunday in Florida.
The largest race occasion of the 12 months is now set to air at 1:30 p.m. ET Sunday on FOX.
Present projections say the Daytona Seaside space will expertise a 60% probability of rain later within the day with highly effective winds to 30+ mph as a chilly entrance strikes by way of Sunday night.
Given these projections, shifting up the occasion can be useful for all concerned within the occasion, significantly the drivers, in accordance with Outkick NASCAR Columnist Zach Dean.
Dean famous how gusty winds might have a substantial affect on these competing on the Daytona 500.
“Stability at Daytona is everything because it’s pack racing, and everybody’s going 190 miles an hour, and they’re all tucked in within a second or two of each other,” Dean stated. “So, keeping your car stable going into the turns is key, because if you get loose, if you wobble just a little bit, you could take out half the field… yeah, a wobble at Daytona is bad news.”
AP
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Moreover, the situations on the racetrack should be excellent to make sure the protection of all drivers, as their tires are delicate to moisture.
Drivers use particular tires referred to as slicks to maximise traction on dry roads.
Rain may cause prolonged delays, which might postpone the race.
To make sure that roads are dry and protected sufficient to carry out on, NASCAR makes use of observe drying know-how.
NASCAR’s Air Titan 2.0 is a track-drying machine that makes use of compressed air to push water off the observe.
It’s primarily like utilizing a squeegee to push or brush the water off the highway utilizing air.
The FOX Forecast Heart says there’s a medium to excessive danger of climate impacting the race with the anticipated rain showers.
Temperatures will attain the decrease 80s with near 70% humidity.
If the race faces any delays, it will be the second 12 months in a row Mom Nature has not cooperated with the race.
Final 12 months’s race was pushed again a day after rain washed out any hope of safely getting the race in on the initially scheduled Sunday.
“They certainly do not want a Monday race again – Daytona 500 on Mondays are frankly a disaster for NASCAR,” Dean stated. “They’re not great for FOX and for people who pay a lot of money for the commercials. So they’re going to do everything they can to keep this race on a Sunday. I think it’s going to start, no problem. It might get a little iffy if they have to red flag it for a few hours. I assume they’d rather do that and restart at 8 or 9 rather than restart Monday night at 4 or 5. So it’s going to be wait and see.”
