ARCA Menards Series explains why Elko Speedway race never stopped despite visible lightning on TV broadcast

During Saturday night’s ARCA Menards Series race at Elko Speedway, there were times when lightning was visible on the broadcast. Despite the lightning, the NASCAR development series never paused the race for a lightning hold.

One image made the rounds on social media. It showed a large bolt of lightning in the background of the ARCA race. With the cars speeding around the track and the lightning firing off in the back, it was quite a sight that fans enjoyed.

However, many were concerned. There is a lightning policy for NASCAR races, including ARCA. If a strike is within eight miles of the track, the stands are cleared and the race is put on hold.

Charles Krall, comms for ARCA, released an explanation earlier today.

“Happy Monday all! Just wanted to take a quick moment to cover the end of the Elko race. There, quite obviously, was a lot of lightning in the area some of which was caught on camera. None of those strikes were inside the established 8-mile radius our protocol calls for…

“The lightning protocol we use is exactly the same as NASCAR’s. Had one of those strikes occurred inside the radius, we would have had to stop all activity for 30 minutes until we were clear. That is mandated and not optional.”

The lightning protocol we use is exactly the same as NASCAR's. Had one of those strikes occurred inside the radius, we would have had to stop all activity for 30 minutes until we were clear. That is mandated and not optional.

— Charles Krall (@ChasKrall) August 5, 2024

Krall also explained the viral lightning bolt seemingly right over the track.

“The image below is incredible, and it looks like the lightning is directly behind the track. This particular strike was over 11 miles from the race track despite looking like it was right there.”

There were no strikes within eight miles of the track until after the checkered flag.

Just to put a period on it: The first strike we had inside the 8-mile radius was at 9:49 pm Central, after the race had ended. That strike was 6.4 miles away.

— Charles Krall (@ChasKrall) August 5, 2024

To sum up what Krall said, ARCA was aware of the lightning and made sure to follow protocol.

William Sawalich wins ARCA race amid lightning

At his hometown track, William Sawalich got the job done. He did it with thrilling moves and a three-wide finish at the line. This was the ARCA version of the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta.

Despite being wrecked from the lead with about 75 laps to go, William Sawalich fought his way back and got another win. That is five checkered flags in 2024. Lavar Scott and Kris Wright went to the line with Sawalich, but it wasn’t enough.

Scott almost pulled off his first career win. This was fantastic short-track racing, physical, and no one got their feelings hurt. The fans were able to get a show, that’s for sure.

William Sawalich pulled off the victory at his home track. He grew up racing on the small track there at Elko and now he is well on his way to a ride in NASCAR in 2025. First up, winning the ARCA East championship.