15 Times Weather Totally Threw Off a NASCAR Race
From downpours to fog banks, Mother Nature has a wild history of flipping NASCAR races upside down.
- Chris Graciano
- 3 min read
NASCAR may be built for speed, but it’s no match for the unpredictability of weather. Rain, wind, fog, and even snow have caused chaos on race days—delaying, shortening, or completely changing the outcome of events. These 15 moments prove that the only thing more unpredictable than the drivers is the forecast.
1. 2023 Chicago Street Race – Rain Soaked Chaos
Dante Juhasz on Pexels
NASCAR’s first-ever street race turned into a wet and wild mess. Torrential rain turned roads into rivers, making visibility and grip nearly impossible.
2. 2001 Daytona 500 – The Fog Roll-In
JazzyJoeyD on Wikimedia Commons
A thick fog blanketed the superspeedway mid-race, confusing spotters and drivers alike. The haze made it difficult to see cars just a few feet ahead.
3. 2003 Atlanta Motor Speedway – Snow Delay
Duane Tate on Wikimedia Commons
Snowfall in Georgia during a race weekend? It happened. The practice was delayed, and fans built snowmen in the infield.
4. 2014 Bristol Night Race – Double Rain Delay
Raniel Diaz on Flickr
Fans got a full dose of weather roulette. The race stopped twice due to passing storms, dragging the night into the early hours.
5. 2020 Talladega Fall Race – Lightning Strikes
Broadbandito on Wikimedia Commons
With storms hovering overhead, lightning within eight miles triggered repeated delays. NASCAR’s safety clock reset again and again.
6. 1997 Daytona 500 – Rain-Shortened Victory
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Jeff Gordon secured his first Daytona 500 win—but not in full daylight. The rain ended the race at 500 miles, locking in results prematurely.
7. 2015 Phoenix Raceway – Rain Ends It All
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The race was cut short just 312 laps into a scheduled 312-lap event—yep, the timing was that tight. Dale Earnhardt Jr. was leading when the heavens opened up.
8. 2009 Coca-Cola 600 – Memorial Day Washout
Dough4872 on Wikimedia Commons
Rain delayed the start and later paused the race entirely. Drivers hung out, fans partied under ponchos, and crews tried to stay dry.
9. 2018 Daytona July Race – Slippery Surprise
Zach Catanzareti Photo on Wikimedia Commons
Rain rolled in mid-race, leaving drivers spinning and slipping. Several big wrecks followed, shaking up the leaderboard.
10. 1992 Hooters 500 – Sudden Chill
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This historic race, Richard Petty’s last and Jeff Gordon’s first win, was hit with an unusual cold front. Temperatures dropped into the 30s, shocking drivers and fans alike.
11. 2019 New Hampshire – Delayed by Rain and Heat
Adrián Valverde on Unsplash
Rain delayed the start; then, the sun came out to bake the soaked track. The mix made for bizarre racing conditions.
12. 2008 Pocono 500 – The Fog Finish
Jordan on Flickr
Late fog rolled in, obscuring the field and forcing officials to throw the red flag. Visibility was so bad that fans could barely see the front stretch.
13. 1995 Watkins Glen – Hydroplaning Hysteria
Ken Lane on Flickr
Rain at a road course? It’s a recipe for chaos. Cars skidded off the track like bumper cars, and yellow flags flew constantly.
14. 2016 Texas Night Race – Sunday Soaker
iPhone Photography on Wikimedia Commons
A Saturday night race turned into a Sunday afternoon finish. Rain pushed the entire event to the next day, but fans stuck it out in ponchos and boots.
15. 2004 Darlington – A Wet Throwback
Ed McDonald on Flickr
Rain fell during the Southern 500, pausing the action and throwing strategies out the window. Crews scrambled with pit stops during drying windows.