Rain and lightning forced NASCAR to pause its qualifying session at North Wilkesboro Speedway on Saturday, throwing a wrench into a tightly packed schedule that crammed practice and qualifying into a two‑hour window.
A Stormy Interruption
The track’s official social channels announced the hold and urged fans to seek shelter, while on‑site reporters posted photos and videos that captured the sudden downpour and flashes of lightning.
Meteorologists noted that the region is prone to pop‑up storms that tend to dissipate as quickly as they appear, suggesting the delay would be brief.
The forecast for race day calls for a 30‑40 percent chance of scattered showers and thunderstorms, prompting NASCAR to keep a suite of contingency options ready.
If the qualifying run cannot be completed, officials said they could set the 40‑car lineup based on owner points or on results from a prior event, ensuring the grid for Sunday’s Window World 450 remains intact.
The race itself is slated to start at 7:14 p.m. Eastern on TNT, a slot that already sold out its grandstands weeks in advance, underscoring the event’s popularity.
Jordan Bianchi, John Newby, Bozi Tatarevic, Scotte Sprinkle, Bob Pockrass and Jonathan Vankin were among the journalists on the ground, providing live updates and analysis.
Heavy.com, AccuWeather and Jayski’s Silly Season all carried the developing story, while the National Weather Service continued to monitor conditions in real time.
What’s Next for the NASCAR Weekend?
Fans can stay tuned to the track’s digital platforms for the latest updates as the weather clears and the cars take to the asphalt.