On Saturday, there was another chapter added to the already illustrious history of North Wilkesboro Speedway, as the 0.625-mile oval became the first facility in the world to be prepared for an automobile and boat race on the same weekend.
In experiencing this feat, everybody learned a couple of things:
First of all, don’t move forward with building an enclosed racetrack on an uneven plot of land, especially if that means precipitation is going to flow downhill into a single portion of the racetrack.
Secondly, when the National Weather Service warns of the potential for copious amounts of precipitation headed in the direction of the racetrack, it may be wise to be prepared for said precipitation. They usually know what they’re talking about.
Finally, and most importantly, have a little fun. It’s a skill that this NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series crew member, believed to be Garrett Orts of Spire Motorsports, doesn’t need any assistance in figuring out, though.
incredible form
9.3/10 pic.twitter.com/ZFgfLbWVDI
— JR Houston (@JRHouston20) May 18, 2024
Now, there’s a backstory to that video, and probably some explanation needed, as well.
When that crew member is climbing up on something to make his swan dive into the rain water, that’s the inside pit wall — yes, the one that separates the pit crews from a live pit road.
Less than one hour before NASCAR pulled the plug on the remainder of Saturday’s on-track activity from North Wilkesboro Speedway, the pit lane began flooding down towards the first corner, due to an excessive amount of rain.
Send boats! pic.twitter.com/tLCWAb0ZVs
— Cliff Daniels (@DanielsCliff) May 18, 2024
According to Toby Christie, who is covering All-Star Weekend from the racetrack for TobyChristie.com and Racing America, the pit wall is likely about three feet high, which gives you an idea of how high the standing water was.
Now, Christian Eckes, who after 81 laps is running fourth in the Wright Brand 250, didn’t look as thrilled about the situation as Garrett from Spire Motorsports, as the McAnally-Hilgemann Racing driver trudged through the water.
somebody plz save @christianeckes pic.twitter.com/JZ5F29blz5
— TRICON (@TRICONGarage) May 18, 2024
Here is a wider angle showcasing the massive amounts of flooding down in the first corner at North Wilkesboro… probably a good call by NASCAR to cancel, considering it’s unlikely jet dryers could turn a lake into a raceable racetrack.
We’ve had so much rain in a short amount of time portions of turn 1 are under water at North Wilkesboro Speedway. #NCwx #WNCwx pic.twitter.com/fYUl2afUH0
— Scotty Powell (@ScottyPowellWX) May 18, 2024
Several hours after events were postponed on Saturday, North Wilkesboro Speedway released a statement, saying that due to a downpour that delivered four inches of rain in two hours, nearly 40% of the speedway-owned parking is unusable.
There was such a high volume of rain and so much standing water everywhere — both on and inside of the racetrack — that even the tires were starting to float away on the other side of the pit lane.
The water is so deep that it has started to flood over pit wall. At least knee deep and tires are starting to float away. pic.twitter.com/5unFJ2Gnwn
— bill mares (@killbillracing) May 18, 2024
As you can see here, the water levels were even extremely high by the NASCAR Cup Series haulers, forcing teams to drag their tires through the standing water, just to get them to a dry area, like RFK Racing is doing in this video:
Never in my life pic.twitter.com/xhi2VbZbv5
— Elijah Burke (@ElijahWhosoever) May 18, 2024
It rained… a lot, on Saturday. Honestly, with the amount of water with nowhere to go, piled up at the end of pit lane when things were called, on top of the already sketchy forecast, it makes you wonder whether or not the postponed NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series event is going to begin airing on FS1 at 11:30 AM without a river on the racetrack.
But, we won’t know for sure until tomorrow, when we arrive at North Waters-boro Speedway.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Wright Brand 250 at North Wilkesboro Speedway will resume on Sunday at 11:30 AM ET, with the NASCAR All-Star Open at 5:30 PM, and the NASCAR All-Star Race at 8:00 PM.
