NASCAR tried, but the rain is not cooperating.
NASCAR moved the green flag for Saturday’s Bristol Night Race from 7:30 p.m. ET to 6:30 p.m. ET in hopes of getting started ahead of the rain, but the precipitation still forced an early delay.
Drivers initially ran a handful of pace laps, but the rain fell heavily enough to force NASCAR to bring the drivers back to pit road.
With the race now delayed, let’s take a look at the updated NASCAR weather forecast for Bristol, including the chances that wet conditions clear out and tonight’s clash in Thunder Valley goes green.
NASCAR Weather Forecast for Bristol
There’s a 65% chance of rain in Bristol on Saturday night, though the forecast does slowly improve into the evening.
At 7 p.m. ET the chance of rain is 65%, which then dips to 50% by 9 p.m. ET and 27% by 11 p.m. ET.
Thankfully, because Bristol is only a half-mile in length and steeply-banked, it drains water naturally and is therefore a quick track to dry.
This track also has lights, obviously, so NASCAR does have the option of waiting out quick showers and getting the race underway whenever the track is finally dry.
It's also important to remember that this race does not have to go the full 500 laps to be official.
Once the drivers complete lap 250, the Bristol Night Race will be official.
Based on live NASCAR odds, Denny Hamlin is the race favorite at +400 followed by Kyle Larson (+600), Christopher Bell (+600), William Byron (+650) and Brad Keselowski (+800) via bet365.
