Weather Outlook for the Weekend
The NASCAR schedule for the upcoming weekend places the Cup Series race in Atlanta on Sunday night, July 12, while the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series runs Saturday evening, July 11, at the same venue. Earlier in the weekend, the Craftsman Truck Series will contest a race at Lime Rock Park in Connecticut, where clear skies are forecast.
Meteorologists expect a high temperature of 92 degrees in Atlanta on Saturday, but the real concern arrives after 2:00 p.m. on Sunday, when thunderstorms become increasingly likely, pushing the rain probability above 70%. In nearby Hampton, Georgia, there is a 30% chance of thunderstorms after 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, adding another layer of uncertainty to the weekend’s activities.
Track officials have warned that if rain interrupts qualifying, the drying process could take between 60 and 90 minutes. Should qualifying be canceled outright, the starting lineup will be determined by the metric score, a system that would place Denny Hamlin in pole position and Chase Briscoe in second.
The weather pattern projected for Sunday mirrors the conditions seen on Saturday, with a high likelihood of afternoon thunderstorms across the Atlanta metro area. Race teams are preparing contingency plans, and fans should anticipate possible delays and a dynamic race environment.