Cold, wet track could make for problems, delays in Atlanta Sprint Cup race

Ray Slover

•
Cold, wet track could make for problems, delays in Atlanta Sprint Cup race image

Sunday's Sprint Cup race at Atlanta is touch and go, thanks to a wet track and persistent mist.

The race was delayed because of track-surface moisture and problems with pre-race inspection, according to media reports. Three drivers were sent to the rear on Sunday, including Tony Stewart, who missed the drivers meeting.

NASCAR also was paying close attention to body panels, reminding teams not to bend them, which would be a rules violation.

Green flag for the Folds of Honor QuikTrip 500 was scheduled for 1:16 p.m. ET, but the race started at 2:10.

It's also cold in Atlanta, which will have an impact on the race regardless of rain. Cold tracks mean less grip, which combined with restrictions on aerodynamics will have drivers struggling to get the right feel for their cars in the season's second race. The flip side: Cooler air helped cars have more downforce.

MORE: Go for Gordon | Logano red-hot |  Kahne among challengers | Lineup | Video

Elements and rules will make for an interesting, if not frightening, day. Cars now have less downforce, less horsepower and altered rear spoilers.

Not everyone was displeased with the changes.

“The cars are really fun to drive with this new rules package,” Paul Menard told The Florida Times-Union. “They are sliding around. And it’s Atlanta, and it’s slick. And it’s fast, and it’s a lot of fun.”

Carl Edwards also expects what NASCAR would call an exciting race, citing the track's "character."

MORE: Gibbs offers Kyle Busch update, is confident in Ragan | Whirlwind for Cup fill-ins

Also delaying the race's start: Weeps, wet places on the track whether moisture in the ground comes through the asphalt surface.

“The corners aren’t perfect. There’s bumps and seams and spots with no grip and spots with a ton of grip,” Edwards said." You throw the car down in the corner here, and you toss that thing in sideways at 195 mph, and you have to manage your tires. It’s just a real fun racetrack.

"If you don’t have the fastest car in one area, you can make it up somewhere else, and you just have to drive the whole way. It’s a good place to race. To me, we could race here every week, and I’d be happy. I love it.”

It's also the first race without restrictor plates. Teams were required to use them in the Daytona 500. At Atlanta, the 1.5-mile track will be more typical of how cars will run this season.

MORE: Qualifying fail | Odds, driver ratings and Denny Hamlin | Harvick's loses engine | Then  wins Xfinity race

Joey Logano begins the race in pole position, following up on his Daytona victory with the week's fastest qualifying speed.

However, Kevin Harvick will start 43rd and last in the field despite being second to Logano in qualifying. Harvick's car blew its engine during Saturday practice. The resulting swap sent him to the tail of the field.

Although rain stopped about 10:30 a.m. at the track, it appeared drizzle and mist was possible the rest of the morning.

Will they run? With a 20 percent chance of rain during the day and temperatures that likely won't top 45, there was a good possibility the race would at least be abbreviated.

Rain was moving east and away from the track, NASCAR weather observer Brian Neudorff reported. Late afternoon was more promising than the first couple hours of scheduled racing.

NASCAR also planned a competition caution at Lap 25 on Sunday.

Also of interest:

— David Ragan debuts in the No. 18 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota. Kyle Busch, injured in Daytona's Xfinity race, is recovering from surgery on broken leg and foot bones. Ragan usually drives the No. 34 car for Front Row Motorsports. Joe Nemecheck will be at the wheel of that car.

— Regan Smith again drives the No. 41 Stewart-Haas Racing Chevrolet. Regular pilot Kurt Busch is suspended indefinitely. Smith drove the car at Daytona.

— Friday's qualifying snafu forced 13 drivers to make the field on owner points. It's an illustrious crew at the rear of the field, including former Cup champions Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Tony Stewart and Matt Kenseth. At least Harvick will be in good company.

— NASCAR now will allow only two crew members at each car after races. Smells like an attempt to prevent post-race shoving matches. Officials say they will stop cars on pit road to collect tapered spacers that are off limits to teams. The spacer limits air flow through the engine. The rule will prevent full-on crew brawls such as we saw last year at Texas.

— "Funnest" is not a word.

Ray Slover