What happens if it’s going to rain on race day?

What happens if we get to the track and it starts to rain? Or you’re already at the track, racing has begun, and then it starts to rain? Scroll down for all the details!

It depends on the track and the weather.  If it’s a short little rain shower, that doesn’t amount to a lot of water being dumped on the track, there is a chance that there will be a pause in the show. Once the rain stops they will call the cars out to the track to “pack the track.”  Packing the track simply means they will have the race cars drive around the track at low speeds to help work the water back in and help dry up the track. Sometimes this takes a few minutes and sometimes longer, and sometimes they call the cars to pack the track while it is still raining in hopes to keep it dry enough to continue the races. This is typically for a light sprinkle.  If they are able to get the track back to safe condition for racing, they will then pick up the show where they left off. 

There are many times where this is not possible and the show will have to be canceled.  If the show is canceled before the heat races are finished, most of the tracks will allow you to use your ticket or wristband to come back next week.  If the show is canceled after the completion of the heat races, then it is considered a full show and no refunds are given.  Each track has different policies so make sure to check out their website or call for their specific policy.  This is just from our general experiences attending races for the last 30+ years, but not all tracks are the same so individual policies may vary.  

Why do they have to cancel the show if it’s raining? Well, simply for driver safety.  The track becomes very slick and slippery, and that makes for dangerous racing conditions for the drivers.  Just like when you watch NASCAR, when it rains they have to wait until the track dries off and returns to a safe condition to race on.  Same for dirt.  Plus, when it rains a lot the cars tend to just slide all over the track, there wouldn’t be much racing going on due to the slow speeds needed to control the vehicle in these conditions. 

Have more tips for us? Leave them in the comments below! We’d love to add them to the article!

Author: Kristy Reuter