Rough weather in Pocono. Raining hard, still overcast and flooded.
First pictures should be from Marty Smith on-site at 10AM during the NASCAR Now show on ESPN2. RaceDay follows from the outdoor SPEED Stage at 11AM.
Update: Raining behind Marty Smith and Brad Daugherty on NASCAR Now. Weather radar does not look very good. Rain chances over 50% all day.
Update #2: From Elliott Sadler - I doubt we will race today. Don't sit at home waiting around. Go do something fun. Looks bad all day and the track seeps real bad.
Update #3: Kenny Wallace advised that RaceDay on SPEED has been moved inside because of the weather. No idea of the location.
Update #4: Drivers meeting as scheduled, but nothing happening. Continuing to rain at 11:30AM with no end in sight.
Update #5: Jet dryers are on the track at 12PM, the drivers meeting is in progress and things are looking up a bit.
We will continually update the rain story as the 2PM race time approaches.
65 comments:
It's obvious from the radar and forecast that there will be no racing today. The question is, how long will they pretend that they can get the race in?
Anyway, looks like noon on Monday.
The only good thing, no lights! They can't drag on the decision.
Did you guys just hear Brad Daugherty talking about Tony crashing in practice?
What is that guy talking about?
Is'nt this enough proof that 1 race at Pocono is plenty? NASCAR needs to start looking at their schedules a lot closer. Especially with all the empty seats at many of the venues. Rockingham and N. Wilkes would be 2 good places to start.
Sorry JD. I mute Brad when he's on..doesn't have an original thought in his head.
He was trying to talk about Tony crashing in practice. Said something about the car had the opportunity to get away from him.
Unless he is in the studio with AB and Rusty, it's a struggle.
Kenny Wallace advised that RaceDay has been moved inside because of the rain.
Marty probably can't say it on ESPN...but he was on the Weather Channel this morning...I think it was 9:15 or so...he was asking them what the weather was going to be *tomorrow*...and he is bummed because he was supposed to go to the White House tomorrow with the drivers. I wish Helton would just call it so everyone can re-adjust their plans for the week. No point in torturing everyone with the wait, especially the fans.
Zieke--in this economy, those tracks would have empty seats too. In fact, I think empty seats were why they stopped going to the Rock (much as I miss it.) N Wilkesboro is never going to happen..they were outdated because they didn't keep up with their facilities. I get why people loved it, but honestly...
Now, Kentucky or Iowa would be a great idea.
glen, that is a big trip tomorrow. They will hang until the last shred of daylight is gone.
JD, you're probably right. NASCAR just tweeted "The track says the western edge (of the storm) is at Williamsport and should be through by 2."
What would happen if the race has to be run tomorrow and Jimmie Johnson is at the White House?
Wilkes will NEVER happen again because there would have to be millions upon millions of dollars of improvements put into that track to just get it to a Cup standard to start with. If Bruton Smith didn't put money into it, enough said.
Rockingham, it would be great but that place was never any better for weather either unfortunately.
Always felt if that place was picked up and moved to a larger, less diluted market that the place would be very very successful. As for dropping a race at Pocono, I say no because this is one of the last independent facilities left that isn't owned by ISC or SMI. Now should both races be 500 miles? Nope.
Great, Vickers talking about weepers would be a problem all day even if the rain stops.
Guess I should head back to bed.
Careful what you guys ask for though, dumping tracks like Pocono will only set us up for more cookie cutters which people complain about just as much if not more...
Didn't hear Brad say that but wow. Ya wonder why Tony doesn't care for the ESPN crew....
Vicky, if the race runs tomorrow, the White House trip either gets cancelled or rescheduled.
Jimmie is contracted to race first period.
Sometimes NASCAR RaceDay just hurts my brain.
You too JD?
Far cry from NASCAR Now. They called it we ain't racin today
RaceDay crossing their fingers.
David,
I like Kentucky and Iowa, think about another Darlington and wonder if some more date changes would make some sense.
Rockingham and N. Wilkes would be 2 good places to start.
Someday, you guys are going to wake up and realize Cup racing is NOT going back to those tracks. Ever.
North Wilkesboro is too small and too far from a major city.
Rockingham? They couldn't fill it up during the time NASCAR was really hot, and even when it was warned they'd lose the race, people STILL didn't go.
These tracks are not getting races back. To keep saying they should is just pointless.
Unless of course, that is just how someone feels about that issue.
Regarding Wallace and Spenser on raceday. After that opening I rest my case. Changes are needed real soon.
Frank in Sebring
Would sure be nice to have Kyle Petty involved in NASCAR TV this morning.
Here is the weather radar for the area of Pocono, the racetrack is about 30 miles southeast of Wilkes-Barre, which should show up on this map:
http://bit.ly/9MYCW
As I post this at 11:10 AM, the western edge of the storm should pass the track in the next hour or 2. If they start drying efforts after the rain stops, they could try to get the race in today, since the sun doesn't go down until after 8 PM. However, another storm would probably push the race into Monday, and who knows about weepers. Things look pretty clear behind this line of storms. I'm optimistic at this point.
I love KY and from what I saw Iowa looks good too but Iowa has work to do as does Kentucky before they are Cup-ready.
Atlanta is risking losing a date so there is your Kentucky date, where does the Iowa date come from though? Maybe if ISC removes its head from its rear Darlington would get it's rightful date back from California but remember when Darlington lost its date it was in the same boat Cali is in now. Splitting its crowd between 2 races, I cant see Darlington selling out twice a year unfortunately.
ISC nor SMI will "give" their dates away.
Plus I'm starting to become a fan of the idea of cutting the schedule back some maybe to 34 races instead of 36.
I know that won't happen though.
Luckily I think Iowa fits the criteria of an "untapped" market so theres hope there. Thankfully they didn't have the approach Kentucky did expecting a Cup date so if it doesnt happen I doubt Rusty would be too disappointed.
Perhaps more discussion should start soon about Iowa getting 2 NW races a year pretty soon...
Well, I have to head into work at 7:00 est....Im rooting for a rainout at this point sadly.
So, I should not pack my bags for the White House visit on Monday?
Oh wait, I wasn't invited....
Wunderground.com has an 80% chance of rain until 11:00PM where it goes down to 40%. It drops to 10% chance from 11:00AM throughout the afternoon on Monday. Looks like Jimmy will miss his appointment with the President tomorrow.
I'm behind again. Brad also got something else wrong but now I can't remember what is was but it just had me shaking my head.
I really don't like most of those Raceday skits and that was one of them. I really funny part was When Wendy was showing the radar and talking about the lighting strikes, they were showing where I live which is about 90 minutes from the track. It is really dark here and has been all morning.
I do find it interesting that ESPN is all about write off racing today and Raceday is all about the we might get it in but at least they keep showing semi live shots of BIG puddles
Frank we don't even watch RD any longer. It just was the same thing over and over and over.
Vicky,
RaceDay used to be so good and now it is a mess. Such a shame for a good bunch of folks. Really drives home the point that in TV you need seasonal changes and updates to keep shows fresh.
JD I also think Racedays problem is that they can't spend the last 20-30 minutes walking the grid etc. It sucked the life right out of the show, they now need filler and scheduled appointments in the motorcoach lot or at a hauler instead of that plus lets see who we can find. I don't want to even talk about the skits.
When The NASCAR Media Group and SPEED caved in and moved the show one hour earlier, it changed everything.
Unfortunately, the production team changed nothing. Now you have a show that does not fit into the timeslot.
They have one hour of ESPN in front of them and at least one hour of pre-race behind them.
Is is rough to watch them cover the exact same topics and news that viewers just saw Marty Smith and the NASCAR Now guys talk about.
Changes need to arrive....
Who's all going to the White House? Is it the Chase drivers or just Jimmie because he won the Cup? Some websites have said it's the Chase drivers going, but if that's the case, the Chase hasn't been set yet.
No one is going because we have a race that'll run tomorrow ;)
I thought it was all from last year's Chase. But don't quote me.
I don't think Jimmy Spencer could be any more inarticulate...not that he could even pronounce that...
Good morning. Yes, Iowa instead of Pocono. Would be racing today...sunny 85. Always chance of rain, but then you would know whenever they got it in at least has a chance to be an exciting race.
Before they cancel and you all disappear. We will be traveling tomorrow. No MRN/PRN stations.
Where can we listen online?
Where could I watch online? Traveling by motorhome where my aircard should work.
Thanks!!
Unless of course, that is just how someone feels about that issue.
JD, I understand what you mean.
But every time this subject comes up, someone starts talking about moving Cup races back to the Rock or N. Wilkes, and it just isn't going to happen.
There's nothing to be gained by saying this over and over. If someone has a realistic suggestion to fix the problem (say, lights), that would be different.
Now I'm getting tornado warnings, the bigger problem (they are not near me) is that it cuts my DVR recording which then restarts with another one. Since they repeat a lot. I'll eventually wind up with about 4 Racedays on the DVR. It just keeps better and better
I hope it rains for three straight days. I hate the Pocono race, and find myself somewhat pleased to have an excuse not to stay home and watch.
They should race this track once per year. And I like 500 mile races but this is one that could be 300 and no one would complain.
Diane, I am sure someone might whisper to you a site that might be able to help you with that problem.
Jet dryers are now on the track, things are looking up.
2.5 hours to dry....we shall see
like nrf, i'm about 90 minutes out of long pond and it's been raining since i got up around 6 this morning; since 10:30 or so, it's been heavy rain w/attendant lightning and thunder and ominous black clouds. no sign of an end to this band of storms anytime soon.
i appreciate sadler advising that we find something else to do outside today b/c there won't be any racing in long pond but where i live? unless you're the aflac duck, your house-bound today.
(and as i type this, the sky is lightening up a bit so what do i know?)
Well just got awake about 1/2 hour ago - read comments & left the TV off.
They need to make it 1 Pocono race & make it the Pocono 250.
I can not believe espn will hang around all day today waiting on weather to clear. Heck we can't get post race - yet hang around waiting. Sheesh
so, i just pulled up long pond, pa, on weather.com: there may be a break in this storm right now but when one runs the radar thru 5PM tonight, it's just band after band sweeping thru w/not enough time between each to get the track dry. it does take over 90 minutes to dry that beast down, closer to 2+ hours.
someone needs to call the white house and get the date changed . . .
JD,
Oops. Guess that is a no no. Sorry.
Thought that some folks have mentioned how they listen/watch. Don't pay attention, cuz we normally plan trips with no travel on race day :-) I definitely will follow live with TDP!
PS..sorry you didn't get invited to WH. Maybe invite got lost in mail. I know they must have had you on their list...LOL!
@Diane- send me an email ;)
I am legally responsible for what is posted, even if I did not do it myself. Learned that the hard way last season.
The regulars will take care of you. Absolutely no problem.
Hermie's gonna race a truck! Hurrah!! word veri "sawfire"
Maybe the WH will come to Long Pond tomorrow . . . . .
Raining again in Pocono but this is the last cell moving through and then should be dry for qiute awhile.
Don't you just love that Bootie Barker
nrf, sure do. Big fan. Witty.
I miss the golden days of ESPN when we had Bob Jenkins, Ned Jarrett and Benny Parsons. The days when Bill Weber didn't grate my eardrum and Jerry Punch was awesome on pit road. Where rain delays were fun and we had Thrills and Spills...how'd we get here?
-sigh- Gonna be a long day, maybe two.
I'm 75 miles n/e of pocono - we have rain 60 - 90% chance all day, and that weather is coming from the pocono area. I do not see how they will get a race in, unless they are hoping for a 1 hour window to get 1/2 and call it.
I know it has been beat to death, but why, when there is an absolute chance of rain doesnt nascar just put on some rain tires, wipers and lights and let them race. Heck even if they only got up to 70 mph it would still be interesting to see it happen. Last wednesday I was doing 80 in my minivan on the thruway with less than 100 ft visiblity due to a heavy rain (ened up dropping 4 inches in the area). If I can do it in a minivan, they can do it in a race car.
Did I miss it, or has there been no mention on RaceDay of the passing of Denny Hamlin's grandmother Friday night? The RD crew usually goes out of their way to offer condolences when something like this happens - especially when the party involved could be a favorite in today's race.
anon@12:36: not sure where you're getting that forecast from as the weather.com site shows bands moving thru mt pocono area right thru 5 tonight (where the radar stops for now.) check it out and put the radar into the future motion application to see what i mean.
this is a monster track and takes a VERY long time to dry out, even w/all the jet dryers from dover on hand today. plus, there are certainly spots on the track that are known weepers. they may have the jet dryers on the track right now but it's been raining all night and all morning and there is a whole lot of surface to get dry.
while i feel for the fans who are there, i don't share any sense of optimism for getting this in today, even if nascar somehow was able to move the start time up and get the track safely dry.
nrf: when/where was the tornado warning? i suspect i was in church at the time . . .
@BillH - you & I can do it becuz we are not highly paid trained professionals. ;) We just need to get things done!
Bill. No. Just NO!
There is a new post up for the 2PM coverage of the Cup Series from Pocono on ESPN.
Please move your comments to that post.
Thanks,
JD
@BillH- because everyone would die? :)
If I want to see idiots driving in the rain I'll sit in a lawn chair above the freeway
Bill--you're not going as fast as they are, and you have a defroster that works. They've never been able to master the visibility issue...as much fun as Montreal was last year, it was pretty ridiculous (not to mention dangerous.) The drivers said later they couldn't see a dang thing. And it wouldn't be very fair to the fans either, though the Montreal fans were nuts...I say that with affection!
Red about 11am but it was in Jersey.
Bill 80 in the rain no visibility hope there were no kids in that minivan
@nrf; oh, well, since it was jersey: no problem.
relatively sunny right now but the radar shows up getting hit again before 3 and staying green on the map thru 5P.
no gardening today.
My brother drove up to Pocono this morning -- I had told him it was going to rain, but he decided to go anyway, me, I decided NOT to waste my Sunday that way -- I've done that before at Pocono and I agree about the bad sight lines (especially when it's raining or humid and then the fog plays a role,too) plus the parking is so bad and since the roads were meant ONLY for vacation traffic not for that volume, I've sat in too many traffic jams to do that again. Anyway, I flicked the clicker keeping track of what it was doing at the track and my brother called a few times, too. At any rate, NASCAR should have called the race at 3 but they waited until 4:30 (big surprise - NASCAR wants you to waste your ENTIRE day). I listened to AB, Rusty and Brent talk a little bit, but honestly they weren't intersting enough to keep me tuned in for long. So, if they race on Monday, I won't be watching. Work, you know.
Darth Bruton will never allow any racing at North Wikesboro - too close to Charlotte. Rockingham was sold for roughly $4,500,000 - asking price for NW is $12,000,000, despite local people and county wanting to try to re-activate.
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