Why can't NASCAR run in the rain?

[call_me_andrew]

I keep hearing that NASCAR is preapared along with Goodyear to race on a roadcourse in the rain. I could be wrong, but does anybody know what the NASCAR rule book says about that?

Nationwide: Yes
Everything else: No

For a couple of years they discussed racing in the rain, but haven't heard anything about it for a while now. They used to have the teams set up the cars with a windsheild wiper and other things for rain, but they've stopped doing that.

Once more to the photographic evidence.

I've highlighted the windshield wiper mounts with yellow circles.

[call_me_andrew]

And the one I tried to post hilighted in red.

[Lee Roy]

Thanks c_m_a. You are wealth of correct information. I was thinking primarily of Cup cars racing in the rain, but you are correct that NASCAR continues to be prepared to race in the rain.

I imagine for the Nationwide series they don't want to disappoint the folks in Mexico City and Montreal and don't want to have to try to return at a later date, that probably wouldn't be available.

[tassiedevilAB]

It was. At the Suzuka road course. That's where the picture of Mark Martin's car is from.




I don't recall NASCAR ever running in the rain at the Glen (racing or qualilfying). If they did, I would think it would have been some kind of a test.

I know that they used to say that Goodyear had a trailer load of rain tires at the Glen. But we never actually saw them, and I haven't heard them mentioned for several years now.

If these drivers can not control the cars in the dry how do you think they will be able to control them in the wet & on an oval, .....that is danger with a big D

[gary_580]

and talk about boring to watch - peering through clouds of spray.

Cars would need 200mph wipers, lights, plus of course a selection of wet tyres to cope with changing conditions, and what if some of the track is wet and some dry.

No, this is a fine weather sport - let's stick with that

After the Atlanta race im wondering if Nascar is just becoming boring to watch. The Tyres that Goodyear provided were too hard which killed the side by side racing we normally see at Atlanta

[Aussie12]

Rain + Talladega = huge mistake.

[call_me_andrew]

Rain + Talladega = huge mistake.

I disagree. If everyone is on rain tires with reduced traction, the pack would break up and it would look like a pre-plate race.

[BenRoethig]

No, it would look like a super big one with any car going over interstate speeds hitting the wall. They'd have to declare the pace car as the winner.

[Lee Roy]

No, it would look like a super big one with any car going over interstate speeds hitting the wall. They'd have to declare the pace car as the winner.

yep.

[harvick#1]

No, it would look like a super big one with any car going over interstate speeds hitting the wall. They'd have to declare the pace car as the winner.

a Bodine winning a Cup race oh dear