May 18, 2025, North Wilkesboro, Nc, USA: North Wilkesboro, NC USA - May 18, 2025:CHRIS BUESCHER 17 of Prosper, TX battles for position during the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA All-Star Race in North Wilkesboro, NC. North Wilkesboro USA - ZUMAa161 20250518_aaa_a161_052 Copyright: xWalterxG.xArcexSr.x

Jul 15, 2026, 11:00 AM CUT

NASCAR weather update: North Wilkesboro to get rained out after Atlanta delay?

The weather conditions weren’t ideal for the night race in Atlanta, and with another night race coming up in North Wilkesboro, the fears are similar.

As NASCAR returns to North Wilkesboro for the first time in 30 years for a points race, the rain threat that delayed the race in Atlanta by over three hours may be hanging a dark cloud over this weekend’s race.

While the predictions are lower than they were for Atlanta, there is a 24 per cent chance of precipitation in North Wilkesboro on race day, Sunday evening.

NORTH WILKESBORO, NC - MAY 21: Josh Berry 48 Hendrick Motorsports Ally Chevrolet leads Ty Gibbs 54 Joe Gibbs Racing Monster Energy Toyota during the running of the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Cup Series All-Star Open on May 21, 2023 at North Wilkesboro Speedway in North Wilkesboro, NC. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: MAY 21 NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon230521647

According to the 10-Day weather forecast by Weather.com, the temperature is expected to be around a low 69 degrees Fahrenheit. The same 24 percent chance of rain also applies to the day, so it isn’t guaranteed yet when the rain will arrive and how long it will hover.

While the Cup race may not face as severe a rain threat as was the case in Atlanta, that case immediately flips for the Truck race that is scheduled for the afternoon of Saturday. With over a 50 per cent chance of rain on Saturday in the first half, the Truck race may either be postponed or delayed based on when the heavens open.

However, fans could expect a full race given that the forecast for Atlanta was much worse, and NASCAR still got a full race out of it that finished at 2 a.m.

NASCAR puts up a splendid show despite Atlanta rain

Ryan Blaney may have taken the checkered flag at around 2 a.m. ET Monday for a race that began at 7 p.m. Sunday, but the show that NASCAR put up is one that’s being lauded by many fans.

Under most circumstances, NASCAR would have ended the race early. But not even halfway through the second stage, when the rains came in, NASCAR dropped a red flag. That red flag remained for a little over three hours, and yet, the race that resumed was an absolute marvel.

The lead bounced between Carson Hocevar and Ryan Blaney at the very end. Hocevar looked faster in the moment, but Blaney, who snuck in a nap during the rain stoppage, had been the most consistent throughout, leading 171 of 263 laps, a whopping 65 per cent of the race.

He will be hoping rain doesn’t play spoilsport in North Wilkesboro as he looks to outperform Christopher Bell, whom he will go head-to-head against in the semi-finals of TNT’s In-Season Challenge.

The other bracket will see Chase Elliott go up against underdog Todd Gilliland, who will need to be at his very best even to have a shot at the million-dollar prize.

Written by

Debrup Chaudhuri

Edited by

Yash Kotak