NASCAR race weather updates: EchoPark Texas Grand Prix threatened by potential lightning; rain in forecast

Joe Rivera

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NASCAR race weather updates: EchoPark Texas Grand Prix threatened by potential lightning; rain in forecast image

Mother Nature must not like NASCAR much.

Weather can have a tendency to get in the way of NASCAR Cup Series races, and Sunday's EchoPark Texas Grand Prix is no exception to the rule. With lightning threatening the start of the race, the first road course of 2021 may be marred by weather.

MORE: NASCAR EchoPark Texas Grand Prix updates, results and more

Earlier in the year, the Food City Dirt Race at Bristol was pushed back a day because of rain. On Sunday, NASCAR makes its debut at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas, with rain expected — but lightning could throw a wrench into the circuit's plans.

While teams have brought along their rain tires for today's race, lightning is creeping towards the track, which could signal some danger for the start of the race on Sunday.

Sporting News will have the latest weather updates for this weekend's race in Austin below (all times are Eastern):

NASCAR race weather updates

2:49 p.m.: Rain drops starting to fall but the race looks like it will get underway as scheduled. 

2:20 p.m.: Showers are expected through the end of the day, making for a wet track, but the lightning may hold off for now:

1:10 p.m.: Thunderstorms may be in the Austin area around the start of the race. NASCAR has reportedly told teams to prepare for rain, and to fit cars with rain tires.

11:30 a.m.: Rain is in the forecast for Sunday's race, with 70 percent chance of precipitation, with rain expected through the start of green flag at around 2:40 p.m. ET. Teams have rain tires on hand, in case things get wet. Qualifying session was fine, so no worries early on.

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Joe Rivera

Joe Rivera Photo

Joe Rivera is in his seventh year with The Sporting News, handling NFL, MLB and some things pro wrestling. A proud-ish Rutgers University graduate, Rivera combines a new-school flair with an old-school soul. He loves dingers, wrestling, comic books, movies, music and really bad puns. He is also a card-carrying BBWAA member and teaches Multimedia Sports Reporting at his alma mater.

You can find him and tweet him @JoeRiveraSN, if you're into that sort of thing.