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WATKINS GLEN, N.Y. – Weather forecasts for Sunday’s I Love New York 355 at The Glen call for a chance of rain at Watkins Glen International — most likely late in the race.
Should it rain, NASCAR and Monster Energy Cup Series teams are prepared to use rain tires on the 2.45-mile road course in upstate New York.
According to the NASCAR rulebook, should the race start under dry conditions and then it become rainy, “the rear flashing light must be activated on all vehicles for the remainder of the race.”
Rules state that during the caution period, cars may “elect to pit and change tires (‘wet’ or ‘dry’), install ‘wet’ weather condition equipment” or they may remain on the race track at their “sole discretion.”
And the crew chief is “solely responsible for the decision of when to change or utilize ‘dry’ or ‘wet’ condition equipment.”
Should it rain before the green flag is waved to start the race, all vehicles “will return to their assigned pit stall and must install the “wet” weather tires and activate the rear flashing light for the race.
“Windshield wipers may be installed. No other adjustments or refueling will be permitted at this time.”
So far the Cup Series has never raced a points-paying event in the rain. But the XFINITY Series has contested four races under wet conditions — twice in Montreal (2008 and 2009) and 2014 at Road America in Elkhart, Wisc. and 2016 at the Mid-Ohio Sport Car Course in Lexington, Ohio.