Rain tires used for Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen

NASCAR officials have deployed rain tires during Saturday’s Xfinity Series race at Watkins Glen International.

A track-drenching shower forced teams to pit road during the third caution of the 82-lap Zippo 200, allowing them to install treaded, wet-weather tires for the completion of the race. The cars are also equipped with windshield wipers and a flashing rear brake light for racing in the rain, which only occurs on NASCAR’s road courses.

Goodyear officials allotted three sets of rain tires — marked with white letters instead of the traditional yellow — for the race. After mandating a pit stop for wet-weather tires and activation of wipers and brake lights, NASCAR officials will leave tire choice up to the teams’ discretion for the remainder of the event.

Saturday’s race marked the fifth time that rain tires have been used in an Xfinity Series race. The others: Montreal (2008, ’09), Road America (2014) and Mid-Ohio (2016).