Heavy winds from an approaching thunderstorm caused minor damage at Kentucky Speedway Friday during NASCAR Sprint Cup qualifying. Tents, both large and small were thrown around and NASCAR was forced to halt qualifying temporarily.
Heat was the order of the day prior to the storms arrival. Eastern Kentucky is enduring the heat wave much of the country is currently suffering from. Temperatures hovered near 100 degrees as drivers practiced on Friday, some estimated the temperatures inside the cars were hovering near 130 degrees.
“We may need these fire suits before too long without even a fire in the car — it’s pretty hot,” Clint Bowyer joked. “But, it’s the same for everybody. You’ve just got to tough it out. I’ve been out in the Midwest all week long. It’s been in the 100s — 104, 105. I think I saw 106 one day, so I’m kind of used to it, but I’ll be a lot more hydrated this weekend than I was this week. I can promise you that.”
Jimmie Johnson said the heat will definitely be a factor for Saturday night’s race. MORE>>>
Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.
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