Weather Postpones Watkins Glen Battle Until Monday

August 9, 2009

WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. (Aug. 9, 2009) – A storm front that moved from Canada and down through the Great Lakes into New York’s Finger Lakes Region forced officials to postpone today’s Heluva Good! Sour Cream Dips at the Glen’ Sprint Cup race here at Watkins Glen International until tomorrow.  It has been rescheduled to get the green flag just after 12:00 noon on Monday.

Heavy rain hit the area overnight.  It let up during the morning hours and the sky brightened just prior to driver introductions. However, the big front blew into the area just as the drivers were getting into their cars.  Severe lightning forced the spotters off their perch and officials cleared the grandstand. There was light rain the rest of the afternoon, forcing the postponement just after 4:00 p.m. local time.

“This has become a situation that NASCAR officials know they need to address and I’ve been told they are doing just that,” offered crew chief Pat Tryson.  “I understand – we all understand – the importance of NASCAR’s great broadcasting partners.  We love and appreciate the super coverage that we get from the TV guys and all the media.  We know we wouldn’t be where we are as a top-line sport without them.  But uniform starting times – like starting at 12 noon or 1 p.m. at the latest – would certainly help us meet the tough schedule we’re up against.  I’d hate to think what would happen if we’re hit with the weather here again tomorrow, so just forget that I even said anything about that.

“But, regardless, they are calling this the “Heluva Good!” race and we’re poised for a helluva’ good run here tomorrow or whenever we get to race,” added Tryson.

The NASCAR Sprint Cup garage will open at 9:30 a.m. The race is scheduled to start Monday just after 12:00 noon EDT and be televised on ESPN.   SPEED will air a special one-hour edition of NASCAR Raceday from 11:00a.m. till 12 noon and Busch is scheduled to be interviewed at approximately 11:15 a.m.  MRN and Sirius Satellite Radio will air the race live on radio.