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Mother Nature may force NASCAR to race at New Hampshire on Tuesday
Mother Nature still has a score to settle with the town of Loudon, New Hampshire.
In 2023, NASCAR's visit to the "Magic Mile" was delayed until a Monday, after which Martin Truex Jr. picked up a dominant win. The culprit for the delay wasn't just a rain shower, but multiple flood and tornado warnings in the area that encompasses the track.
While there is little threat of tornadoes during the weekend this year at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, NASCAR executives likely have a long weekend - filled with rushed meetings, calls with meteorologists and countless cups of coffee - in front of them.
Not even Xfinity Series practice and qualifying (set for Friday afternoon), seem like a sure bet to be completed, as AccuWeather predicts a possible thunderstorm rolling through the area on Friday evening.
While the chance for thunderstorms decreases on Saturday, the rain chance increases to 90%. With NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying set to take place on Saturday, the Cup Series starting lineup would be set by the metric, while the NASCAR Xfinity Series race on Saturday afternoon would have to be postponed.
On Sunday, the outlook doesn't get much better. AccuWeather currently predicts an 80% chance of rain, with downpours, heavy thunderstorms and the possibility of hail. Not exactly the best forecast for a race weekend.
Natl Weather Service forecast says some model spread on the timing of possible rain Sunday-Monday. I'd say probably need 2.5-hour window to dry to start in damp and get at least halfway so wouldn't rule out getting it in. Historically, NASCAR would race Tuesday if Sun-Mon a wash. https://t.co/u2DNIybpbf
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 21, 2024
Monday seems to have the potential for a washout as well, with an 80% chance of rain currently in the forecast. While the outlook for Tuesday isn't fantastic - a 63% chance of early morning precipitation still exists - the late morning and afternoon would seem to be NASCAR's best bet of getting in both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and NASCAR Cup Series events run should the weekend's weather wreak havoc.
It wouldn't be the first time this season that the Cup and Xfinity Series shared the track on the same day, as both the Daytona 500 and Xfinity Series season opener were held on a Monday to begin the 2024 season in February.
Racing on Monday - or in this case, Tuesday - certainly isn't an ideal scenario for NASCAR, as TV ratings and at-track attendance will likely suffer major losses. For the teams who are just over 900 miles from home, it'll be a long-hauler ride home and a quick turnaround before NASCAR heads to Nashville next weekend.
NASCAR has proven before, however, that they will do everything in their power to complete races - even if they don't always follow their own precedent. At the fall Texas race in 2020, the organization waited out countless hours of rain, finally completing the crucial playoff race on Wednesday. While NASCAR was accustomed to mid-week racing during the 2020 season - a necessary action during the pandemic - it proved that it was able to stay at the track over the course of several days to complete events.
NASCAR running its races at New Hampshire on Tuesday isn't an ideal situation, but it ensures the races get run as close to their previously scheduled time as possible. Until a decision is made, however, NASCAR fans can partake in one of their favorite past-times - blaming NASCAR officials for the wrath brought upon racetracks by Mother Nature.
More must-reads:
- Cole Custer's path back to the NASCAR Cup Series is now clear
- Brandon Jones' NASCAR career stuck in neutral at JR Motorsports
- The 'Daytona 500 winners' quiz
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Kyle Busch paces NASCAR Cup Series practice at Richmond
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Steelers receive bad news on fan-favorite rookie: 'Better pray'
The Pittsburgh Steelers were handed their first preseason loss of the year. On Saturday night, the Steelers fell to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 17-14. A preseason loss or win doesn’t mean much, but how the young players performed does. Early in the game, Steelers rising outside linebacker Nick Herbig suffered a soft tissue injury. With Alex Highsmith’s groin injury also lingering, this now could mean that rookie Jack Sawyer might be thrust into more opportunities than originally expected. One of the most respected NFL Draft analysts, Jon Ledyard, watched the Buccaneers versus Steelers game on Sunday and revealed some concerning updates about Sawyer’s game tape. While Sawyer displayed flashes of his strength and relentless motor, the tape also exposed areas of inconsistency in his technique. The analyst pointed out that Sawyer struggled to disengage from blockers on a few critical snaps and at times looked a step behind in recognizing run plays. For a defense that relies heavily on outside linebacker depth to keep constant pressure on quarterbacks, those mistakes stand out quickly. "Missed the Steelers-Bucs game live last night, so re-watching now," Ledyard shared to his X followers on Sunday morning. "Difference between [Nick] Herbig off the ball and [Jack] Sawyer off the ball is like watching a different sport. Steelers better pray Herbig and [Alex] Highsmith are good to go Week 1." Despite the concerning breakdown, the Steelers remain high on Sawyer’s upside. There has also been positive news about the rookie. He has the physical tools and raw talent that made him such a popular rookie among fans when Pittsburgh drafted him. With Herbig and Highsmith both dealing with injuries, Sawyer could find himself in line for more immediate snaps during the preseason and potentially into the regular season. The next couple of weeks will be crucial for him to clean up his technique, prove he can handle the added responsibility and show coaches that he’s ready to step into a bigger role if called upon. It seems that several pundits were not very high on Sawyer's showing Saturday night. Now, it's still early for the fourth-round prospect. He will surely continue to watch the tape and improve as he continues to adjust to the NFL level. Sawyer recorded just one tackle, and while he has put out some troubling tape over the first two preseason games, it is not enough to truly cause concern. If anything, it is reflective of a fourth-round pick still adjusting to the speed and complexity of the NFL. The transition from college to the professional level is never easy, and Sawyer was a fourth-rounder in the eyes of many teams for a reason. He has the tools to develop, but it may simply take time for him to find his rhythm and consistency. Steelers Likely To Need Jack Sawyer In 2025 The silver lining for Sawyer is that the injuries at outside linebacker will give him a real chance to build momentum. With both Herbig and Highsmith sidelined, even temporarily, the Steelers will need depth and fresh legs at the position. Sawyer will have opportunities to get on the field and show progress, but he will need to sharpen his technique and improve quickly if he hopes to make a legitimate impact in his rookie season. The reality is that if Herbig and Highsmith do not return swiftly from their soft tissue injuries, the Steelers' outside linebacker group could be in a difficult spot. Soft tissue issues are unpredictable and can linger anywhere from days to months, making recovery timelines uncertain. That uncertainty puts added pressure on Sawyer, who suddenly finds himself facing a pivotal stretch early in his NFL career.
Indiana Fever Star Had Words After Sophie Cunningham's Injury on Sunday
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Chicago Bears WR Luther Burden makes massive statement in unexpected way vs. Bills
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