Atlanta Motor Speedway: Concerning weather update emerges following Daytona 500 delay

The 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season is officially underway, with the Daytona 500 in the books, but Mother Nature isn’t done making her mark on the schedule, it seems.

After rain caused a multiple-hour delay in Sunday’s iteration of The Great American Race, it seems as if the Cup Series will be dealing with trouble again this coming weekend at Atlanta Motor Speedway. According to RaceWeather.net, the same front that hampered the Daytona 500 could lead to more widespread rain chances when the Cup Series enters its second week.

“The cold front that impacted the Daytona 500 on Sunday is forecasted to turn into a stationary front and remain over the Gulf through Sunday,” RaceWeather.net reported. “… It is forecasted to slowly move Eastward throughout the weekend. … On Sunday, the trough is forecasted to continue moving East. The trough is forecasted to continue to strengthen the surface low, driving even more Southerly flow up and over the warm front.

“This could lead to widespread showers on Sunday, with the possibility of an isolated clap of thunder. Timing will change throughout the week, but it looks to be moving through the region in the afternoon hours.”

It would certainly be disappointing to have another race weekend affected by rain, but that seems to be the name of the game once again for NASCAR. It’s a shame, with all the hype behind the start of the season, to have a myriad of hurdles thrown in the way this early due to Mother Nature.

If the rain does allow NASCAR to have the weekend they desire in Georgia, it’s bound to be another exciting trip to Atlanta. Since the track underwent a reconfiguration, the racing has been as unique as any we see in the Cup Series, and fans have shown out in droves to see the action year-in and year-out.

Last February, Daniel Suarez was victorious in an epic three-wide photo-finish. He edged out Ryan Blaney and Kyle Busch to clinch his spot in the playoffs, a moment that was one of the more memorable from 2024.

Then, Joey Logano captured the dub during the Round of 16, on his way to his third Cup Series title during Atlanta’s second date. Without the win, who knows if it all would’ve been possible.

Additionally, Atlanta is usually a hotbed for fans of Chase Elliott. The Georgia native always has the most support in the stands, but it’s on another level at this track. His loyal fanatics will be ready to brave the weather, and ready to see if Elliott can win at the track for a second time.

Alas, an eye will be on Mother Nature, but optimistic NASCAR fans will be ready to go racing at 3 p.m. ET on Sunday. Time will tell if it goes off without a hitch, or if delays are in the immediate future of the Cup Series once again.