A strong storm in North Wilkesboro, N.C. forced NASCAR to postpone the Craftsman Truck Series race and cancel qualifying laps on Saturday. The storm produced flooding and lightning at the North Wilkesboro Speedway, leading to the decision to try again on Sunday. The race was halted after 81 of 250 laps due to torrential rainfall and flooding around the track. Photos and videos showed drivers and crew members wading through thigh-deep water after a thunderstorm dropped between 3-4 inches of rain in a short time, with some even attempting bellyflops in the deep water.
The National Weather Service issued flood alerts for western North Carolina, including Wilkes County, where the race took place. Although the Flood Warning has expired, forecasters warned of possible road closures and flooding in poor drainage areas. The storm system that caused the flooding also affected the Pimlico Race Course in Maryland, where the Preakness took place. Despite muddy conditions, a horse named Seize The Grey won the race, ending the possibility of a famed Triple Crown run for Mystik Dan, the Kentucky Derby winner.
The FOX Forecaster Center attributed the storm system to a slow-moving and sometimes stalled system over the Southeast, leading to showers and thunderstorms across the region. The bulk of the activity was expected to move offshore, leaving behind scattered rain chances for the Carolinas and Florida on Sunday. NASCAR officials planned to resume the Truck Series race at the North Wilkesboro track on Sunday morning and the All Star Race was still scheduled to take place in the evening, with 20 drivers competing for a $1 million prize.
The storm that hit North Carolina also impacted other sports events in the region, including the Preakness and potentially other outdoor activities. The track conditions at North Wilkesboro Speedway forced the postponement of the Truck Series race, with drivers and crew members facing challenges navigating flooded areas around the track. While the Flood Warning has expired, the possibility of continued flooding and road closures remains a concern for communities in western North Carolina.
Despite the challenges posed by the storm and resulting flooding, NASCAR and other sports organizations are adapting to the weather conditions and rescheduling events to ensure the safety of participants and spectators. The decision to postpone the Truck Series race and cancel qualifying laps was made in response to the severe weather conditions at the North Wilkesboro Speedway. As the storm system moves offshore, organizers are working to ensure that the track is dry enough to resume the race and that other events can proceed as planned.
