UPDATE: Rain changes everything for Chase elimination race at PIR
This changes everything. Intermittent rain all afternoon at Phoenix International Raceway means the Quicken Loans Race for Heroes 500 will be run at night, instead of during the middle of the day, as originally scheduled.
The track will be green, and the drivers and teams will have had no night practice at all for this race.
As of 4 p.m. local time -- 6 p.m. ET -- heavy rain was still falling at PIR, and it was expected to last another hour or so. Add 90 minutes to two hours for track drying and it will be dark when the race finally begins, whenever that might be.
And, oh by the way, this is the final race of the Eliminator Round of the Chase for the NASCAR Sprint Cup, which means seven drivers will race at night to see which three of them will join Jeff Gordon to decide the series title next weekend at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
It’s not a scenario anyone wants, but it’s what all the competitors are stuck with.
“It’s a little frustrating,” admitted Gordon of the rain delay.
NASCAR has said it will throw a competition caution at Lap 40, allowing teams the ability to check tire wear. But with all the rubber washed off the track and cold, damp conditions, the final Chase spots will be determined under track conditions unlike any the teams have seen this weekend.
The only good news is it’s the same for everyone.
Stay tuned to FOXSports.com for continued updates and race coverage.
