Updated Jun. 27, 2020 11:54 PM
NASCAR racing continues at the Tricky Triangle on Sunday -- but thunderstorms are complicating the busy weekend schedule.
The first Saturday race, the Truck Series Pocono Organics 150, was met with wet weather at the start of the weekend, and was delayed until Sunday at 9:30 a.m. EDT.
Later Saturday afternoon, the first Cup Series race of a rare doubleheader weekend ended up running an hour and a half later than planned due to weather, but the race was still able to be completed.
Dark clouds hover over the spotters for the drivers as the NASCAR Cup Series auto race gets under way at Pocono Raceway, Saturday, June 27, 2020, in Long Pond, Pa. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Now three races are scheduled back-to-back on Sunday, leaving little time for weather delays.
No fans will be watching the race from the grandstands or the infield due to COVID-19 restrictions, but fans watching from home may also be watching the weather radar as thunderstorms threaten to throw a wrench in the action-packed end to the weekend.
If all goes as planned on Sunday, it will be the first time ever that the Truck Series, the Xfinity Series and the Cup Series race at the same track on the same day.
Forecasters say showers and thunderstorms will once again be around the area, especially during the afternoon hours, potentially delaying the Xfinity or Cup series races which are scheduled for 12:30 p.m. EDT and 4 p.m. EDT, respectively.
A poorly-timed downpour could easily put the skids on racing for a good chunk of the afternoon. It takes a long time to dry the 2.5-mile track after heavy rain, and with no lights at Pocono Raceway, the racing for the day will need to conclude before sunset at 8:38 p.m. EDT.
The temperature will climb to the upper 70s F during the afternoon, with an AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperature in the lower to middle 80s.
There is some good news if any of the Sunday races have to be postponed and moved to Monday.
Drier conditions are expected to arrive over the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania by Monday, providing much better weather for any races that may get postponed.
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The ‘Tricky Triangle’ is known for having some unusual weather, and drivers and their crews are always prepared for what Mother Nature has to bring.
“We’ve been in all kinds of weather. Don't get me started about the weather at the track!,” Brehanna Daniels told AccuWeather. Daniels is a tire changer and is NASCAR’s first African American pit crew member.
Clint Bowyer (33) and Kyle Busch drive side-by-side as they lead the field under dark clouds during a pace lap for the Gillette Fusion ProGlide 500 auto race Sunday, June 6, 2010, in Long Pond, Pa. The race was delayed by rain. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
Although rain is one of the biggest weather factors, Daniels said that there’s another element that really makes the job challenging.
"The heat! The worst?!," she told AccuWeather National Reporter Dexter Henry, adding, "it gets real hot out there to the point where if you're not drinking enough water out there, you are going to get dehydrated.".
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After the tripleheader at Pocono Raceway, NASCAR will be heading to the famous Indianapolis Motor Speedway on Independence Day weekend.
Conditions look to be much hotter in Indianapolis with the mercury climbing into the upper 80s F and AccuWeather RealFeel® Temperatures flirting with triple digits.
Additional reporting by Dexter Henry.
Keep checking back on AccuWeather.com and stay tuned to the AccuWeather Network on DirecTV, Frontier and Verizon Fios.
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