NASCAR is set to return to action this weekend with the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, weather permitting, as an arctic blast threatens to complicate the season-opening exhibition.
The same cold front expected to impact the Tri-Cities region is forecast to move through Winston-Salem, bringing frigid temperatures and the potential for snow or cold rain. The conditions could create significant challenges for teams at the tight quarter-mile track, known for its close-quarters racing and demanding setup.
Drivers and crews are already bracing for the possibility of racing in some of the coldest conditions the sport has seen in years.
“I don’t honestly know that I’ve ever driven a race car in that cold of weather,” said Erik Jones, driver of the No. 43 Toyota. “There’s a lot of mechanical challenges and keeping the cars warm.”
Jones said teams may need to keep cars running longer than usual just to avoid mechanical issues.
“We’re going to have to run the cars a lot, honestly, just to keep them from freezing — from the water freezing,” Jones said. “Getting heat in the tires and brakes on such a small track, it’s going to be really tough.”
Cold temperatures can make it difficult to build tire grip and maintain proper engine temperatures, increasing the risk of mechanical failures and limiting how aggressively drivers can race.
NASCAR officials are monitoring the forecast closely as teams prepare for the weekend, with contingency plans in place should weather conditions deteriorate.
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If conditions allow, the Clash will serve as the unofficial start to the NASCAR season, offering teams an early test under some of the most challenging circumstances they are likely to face all year.