New Hampshire Motor Speedway under tornado watch through NASCAR Cup Series race

Today, NASCAR is battling against Mother Nature in New Hampshire. A tornado watch is in effect until 8:00 PM EST tonight. With chances of rain as well, this is going to be an interesting afternoon at the track.

The NASCAR Xfinity Series was able to avoid the weather on Saturday for the most part. The race started on wet weather tires. Now the Cup Series is hoping that they can have the same luck today.

Let’s keep our fingers crossed we see NASCAR racing at New Hampshire today. It has been good so far this morning.

New Hampshire Motor Speedway has put out a warning on their website for fans to keep up with as well.

The weather has already messed a few things up this weekend. Xfinity Series practice and qualifying were rained out. While the NASCAR Cup Series practiced for a few minutes, that session was rained out. Cup qualifying was also canceled after NASCAR lost the track.

Despite the early bad news on Saturday, the Xfinity Series did get to race. That was a positive thing and gives me hope that the Cup Series will race as well. Even if there are minor showers here or there, those wet-weather tires will be available if needed.

There is weather in the northeast all over the place. Even IMSA at Watkins Glen is having weather moving in, dropping rain and possible thunderstorms on the area of the track.

NASCAR has already moved the start time up and done what they can do to avoid the weather and sunlight issues. Oh yeah, no lights at New Hampshire, so there’s a hard deadline tonight for when this race can end.

Will NASCAR use new daylight rule at New Hampshire?

Not only is the weather going to be an issue at New Hampshire, but NASCAR will also have to get this race finished before nighttime. If there is a delay due to rain at some point, it has to be brief. There is a hard out for this race when the sun sets.

NASCAR has changed the rules for the daylight procedure at the end of races. Should daylight become an issue, there will not be a set lap number given by officials for the end of the race. That is what happened at the Chicago Street Race last year.

Instead, officials will tell teams a set time. For example 8:40 PM. Once 8:40 hits, the race will have two laps to go. Leaders will come by at the designated time, take the white flag, and then the checkered flag.

NASCAR is prepared to use the new procedure at New Hampshire. Do you like it better than a lap count? Will this have to be used tonight?