CONCORD, N.C. — What's all that blue stuff? After days of rain, Charlotte Motor Speedway was bathed in sunshine. And that means it's race day.
Saturday's storm caused by Hurricane Matthew's backwash left only mud and puddles. But for racing, the biggest impact was a green racetrack. So, NASCAR ordered a competition caution after 25 laps in Sunday's Bank of America 500.
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Green flag was scheduled to fall at 12:05 p.m. ET, when Kevin Harvick leads the field into the first of 334 laps.
All cars cleared inspection before driver introductions, although Matt Kenseth needed adjustments to get through the process. Kenseth would start from the rear of the 40-car field after his car was found to have unapproved adjustments.
Another weather change: Sunday's temperatures were expected to top out in the low 70s, cooler than recent races and similar to Thursday's qualifying.
There also were suggestions that wind could be a factor. But rain? Chance of precipitation: zero.
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But rain and postponements do have an impact.
"Rain weekends are easy to get sluggish," Brad Keselowski said. "It seems like you eat 100 pounds and you forget to take care of yourself. You sit on the couch and your muscles are tightened up and bound up, but it's all part of the privilege of being a racecar driver because I would rather not have a real job."
Nice.
"It is a little bit easier being in Charlotte with the rain and the weather since this is where so many of the drivers and teams live," Keselowski said. "So if there's one to have to deal with it, this is it."
Safety concerns were behind the cancellation of Saturday track activities.
As Sunday dawned, this scene was a vast improvement over the Saturday.
The sky is clear at Charlotte Motor Speedway. It's a beautiful day for a NASCAR doubleheader on NBC and NBCSN! #TheChase pic.twitter.com/sJozMLOSrM
— Stewart-Haas Racing (@StewartHaasRcng) October 9, 2016
Both the Sprint Cup race and the Xfinity Series race to follow should be perfect for fans.
Much improved weather for today's @nascar #SprintCup & @NASCAR_Xfinity series races @cltmotorspdwy #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/6FZo1SACql
— Brian Neudorff (@NASCAR_WXMAN) October 9, 2016
Racing wasn't the only activity at the track.
NASCAR heist movie Logan Lucky shooting at the track today. Channing Tatum among the actors filming here. Due out next year.
— Jeff Gluck (@jeff_gluck) October 9, 2016
Sunday is the first race in the Chase for the Sprint Cup's Round of 12. The series races next week at Kansas and completes the three-race round at Talladega. Drivers are well aware of the importance of winning one of the first two races.
"Because of what can happen at Talladega – because so much is – less is in your control, yeah, you don't want to go to Talladega having to win," Carl Edwards said this week. "I'm glad you asked that question. I think, 'Man, it might be a little easier to go into Talladega just having to win.' It makes it pretty simple, so, you know, for us the plan is to get a win before Talladega and just be able to go have some fun there."