As expected because of forecasted weather in the Winston-Salem, North Carolina, area, NASCAR has officially postponed all of the January 31 on-track activities for The Clash.
Forecasts call for below freezing temperatures, a wintry mix and the possibility of snow accumulations from 5 to 7 inches at the event location of Bowman Gray Stadium.
This means the practice/qualifying session slate for a 6 p.m. start followed by four heats slated for 8 p.m. to determine The Clash lineup and a Last Chance Qualifying race are not taking place that day.
All Cup Events Are Now Scheduled for February 1
The new schedule calls for the practice and qualifying session to take place from 2 to 4 p.m. on FS2-TV. The Last Chance Qualifier to determine the final 23 drivers to make The Clash is set for 6 p.m. on FOX-TV.
Race day coverage will begin at 7:30 p.m. with the 200-lap The Clash to follow at 8 p.m. on FOX-TV, MRN and Sirius XM NASCAR Radio.
Currently with the forecast of very low temps and snow, NASCAR will continue to work with the City of Winston-Salem in keeping an eye on the weather.
The Current Forecast for Winston-Salem
As of Thursday evening, the forecast is calling for a temperature of 22 degrees at 6 p.m. on Sunday and 19 degrees for The Clash start time of 8 p.m. Winds could be 10 to 12 mph with gusts up to 22 mph. All precipitation looks to be ending by 8 p.m. on Saturday.
To add, the feel like conditions would be 6 degrees for the practice and qualifying session, then 7 degrees for The Clash start time.
The Clash Preview scheduled for Friday, January 30, at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds Event Center is still on from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. There, fans can see the NCS cars on display, driver appearances and live entertainment.
However, The Clash Fan Fest scheduled to be open all weekend near Bowman Gray Stadium will not be taking place.
Cup Cars to Remain at Event Center
Pre-race technical inspection took place on Thursday at the Winston Salem Fairgrounds Event Center. The plan was to have the cars transported to Bowman Gray Stadium via a hauler parade on Friday afternoon.
As of now, those cars will stay put until further notice.
“We have to deal with the weather as it comes,” said Brad Moran, Cup Series Director. “It certainly looks like we might get delayed some, but we’ve got provisions in place.
“Our teams are all geared up, they’re waiting for the instructions from our office to kind of say where we’re going, but we never jump the gun on that. As we have all learned, forecasts can be wrong occasionally … so we’re prepared for whatever hits us.
“Just like to thank the city of Winston-Salem for extending this building to us, because the cars are not going to leave here until we’re ready to go racing. So we will be here, and we will be ready.”
According to NASCAR, race fans with tickets can get more information at www.nascarclash.com/weather or by calling 855-525-7223.
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