NASCAR playoff race day weather at Martinsville Speedway — we should race

There’s so much information out there when it comes to NASCAR weather that there are just some race weekends I feel like I sound like Charlie Brown’s teacher when I post a weather forecast, “wah wah wah waaah, wah waaaah wah wah.” Just trying to get through the noise. There are just some people who will read and see only what they want to see and miss important information or just completely miss what I wrote or said.

Please know, every race weekend I do my best to be very clear in my forecast and share exactly what I am thinking about the forecast and why, never leaving anything out of my forecast or discussion

For the most part, the Martinsville weekend weather forecast has been pretty straightforward going all the way to the start of the week. When you are dealing with a cold front associated with a larger system, the challenge always comes down to timing. Six to 12 hours can mean the difference between racing and not racing.

The bulk of the rain falls during the morning hours of Sunday. It begins to lighten up around 9 to 10 a.m. but remains scattered with some possible drizzle into midday and even early afternoon. If there is a lingering shower — or worse, persistent drizzle or mist — the start of the race could be delayed. It appears that all moisture should be done by 4 p.m. and no later than about 6 p.m. Besides the rain, temperatures will be chilly, mostly in the upper 40s. Winds will increase, making for blustery conditions, but at a short track, winds will help it dry if there is any rain.

The question I am getting is, “Will Martinsville be a night race?” I still think the race can start during the day but it is very possible, especially if there is a delay, that they race beyond sunset at 6:27 p.m.

RACING ODDS FOR THE FIRST DATA 500:
Odds of Cup Qualifying: 40 to 50 percent
Odds of starting the race at 3 p.m.: 75 percent
Odds of weather related delays: 65 percent
Odds of a full Martinsville race: 90 percent
Odds of racing after sunset: 55 to 65 percent

I truly believe the rain is out and we can race Sunday afternoon but I won’t lie, as mentioned above I am worried about lingering rain or drizzle into the afternoon. That is the wild card that has me nervous.

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All times Eastern

SUNDAY
Noon — Cup series qualifying
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - chance of a lingering shower - breezy
Winds: NW 10-20 mph
Temperature: 50

2 p.m. — First Data 500 pre-race
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - breezy, chance of a shower or possible drizzle
Winds: NW 10-20 mph
Temperature: 49

3 p.m. — First Data 500
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - breezy, chance of a shower or possible drizzle
Winds: NW 10-20 mph
Temperature: 49

4 p.m. —First Data 500
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - breezy, chance of a shower or possible drizzle
Winds: NW 10-20 mph
Temperature: 48

5 p.m. — First Data 500
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - breezy & chilly
Winds: NW 10-20 mph
Temperature: 47

6 p.m. — First Data 500
Forecast: Mostly cloudy - breezy & chilly
Winds: NW 10-20 mph
Temperature: 47