With damp conditions lingering at Atlanta Motor Speedway this morning, NASCAR faces a potential challenge in getting Xfinity Series qualifying in as scheduled at 10:00 AM ET. While the weather isn’t a complete washout, any delays could force officials to adjust the format—or even scrap qualifying altogether.
A One-Round Qualifying Alternative?
If time constraints become an issue, NASCAR could opt for a single round of qualifying instead of the usual two-group format. This would streamline the process while still allowing teams to set the field based on speed rather than points. Given Atlanta’s superspeedway-style racing, where starting position isn’t as critical as at other tracks, a shortened session would still provide fair results.
What If Qualifying Is Rained Out?
If conditions prevent any on-track qualifying, the lineup would be set by the metric formula, which considers owner points, driver performance, and recent results. While not ideal for teams hoping to improve their starting position, it ensures a structured grid without unnecessary delays.
The forecast improves as the day progresses, with only a 20% chance of rain during the Xfinity race at 5:10 PM ET. That’s good news for teams and fans alike, as today’s event is expected to be a thrilling pack-racing battle.
For now, teams will keep an eye on the skies, hoping to get at least one round of qualifying in before the green flag drops later today.
