NASCAR’s postponement, Sunday doubleheader are right call – Sporting News

Wow, did NASCAR ever make the right decision in postponing Saturday’s race at Charlotte.

About two hours before the scheduled start time, showers and wind continued in the area around Charlotte Motor Speedway. Like many areas along the Atlantic Coast, the track in Concord, N.C., was buffeted by inclement weather caused by Hurricane Matthew.

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The one obvious conclusion by anyone who stuck a head outside: This was no weather for stock car racing. Even if an hour later the sun was shining.

It also was a good decision because of the rain’s impact on fans. Travel became sketchy, if not treacherous, because of standing water, trees and limbs knocked down by wind, and other hazards. Unpaved parking areas at the track were soaked. Even on Sunday, fans could expect a muddy mess.

Could the track have been ready for a 7 p.m. ET start? Maybe. NASCAR had more than two dozen track-drying machines available, and with a breeze the 1.5-mile oval could have been ready in about 90 minutes.

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Because the races are near many teams’ headquarters in the Charlotte area, even participants faced difficulty getting to the track.

A lot of this around the area and still raining.. right call @CLTMotorSpdwy and @NASCAR 👍🏼 pic.twitter.com/TVlsq2JmP6

— Rodney Childers (@RodneyChilders4) October 8, 2016

Right call? You bet.

Really appreciate @NASCAR for making the call to cancel track activities. #3team will be ready to race tmrw night. #HurricaneMatthew

— Austin Dillon (@austindillon3) October 7, 2016

Saturday morning, NASCAR announced it would stage the third race in Chase for the Sprint Cup as the opener for Sunday’s doubleheader. It marks the second consecutive week for this rarity; this time, the Cup race is coming before the Xfinity Series race. Last week at Dover, the Xfinity race opened the day.

Scheduled for noon ET Sunday, the Bank of America 500 opens the Round of 12 in the Cup Chase. Kevin Harvick will start from pole position.

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The good news for fans: The Cup race will be available on NBC, as well as cable/satellite affiliate NBCSN. Saturday night’s race also was to be shown on the Peacock, and it was a relief to know the over-the-air network wouldn’t abandon fans.

Fans have been vocal in their criticism of NASCAR coverage on NBCSN, from seemingly having too many ads to the inability to watch races on free terrestrial TV. At least Sunday’s coverage on NBC will assuage some of that angst.

NBCSN will carry the pre-race show beginning at 11 a.m. ET.

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NBC is open for race coverage until 4:30 p.m. ET, which should be enough time unless there are significant delays. Watch to see what happens if the race runs beyond 4:30.

Coverage also will be provided via radio network PRN and on SiriusXM satellite radio.

There is another downside: Teams had prepared their cars for a night race, at a track that has different characteristics depending on time of day.

As a night race, Charlotte tends to have one groovy. There is too much single-file racing, few passes and a strung-out field.

As a day race, Charlotte becomes a better racetrack. It’s the opposite of night racing, promising more action. Jimmie Johnson noted as much via Twitter. So did Kyle Larson, whose Chase is over but is thrilled to have a chance to run his favored high line in a day race.

Bummed not racing today but will be a way more enjoyable day at the track for all tomorrow. No excuses!! Cya at @CLTMotorSpdwy Sunday Sunday

— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) October 8, 2016

Earlier, Bowyer wasn’t as positive.

Had such a positive day going. Woke up early, made a pot of coffee, looked out and saw some deer grazing…..then I turned on the news! 👎👎👎👎

— Clint Bowyer (@ClintBowyer) October 8, 2016

Drivers spent the day doing promotional visits, spending time with family or resetting their Sunday plans and preparations. Bowyer went shopping at a home goods story.

Still raining slightly at @CLTMotorSpdwy but sun finally out. No way race would’ve started on time. @WCNC #NASCAR pic.twitter.com/skswKAScAS

— Nick Carboni (@NickCarboniWCNC) October 8, 2016

Xfinity race

After being washed out Friday, the race was originally moved to 11 a.m. ET Sunday. Now, it will go off about 4:30 p.m. ET, or 45 minutes after the Cup race ends. Coverage: NBCSN, PRN and SiriusXM.

It is the third and final race of the Xfinity Chase’s first segment. After the race, the Chase field will be reduced from 12 to eight drivers.

The Race for the Cure 300 will cover 200 laps at the 1.5-mile track. Fans with tickets for Friday’s race will be admitted Sunday.

Several Cup drivers are scheduled to drive in the Xfinity race, including Chase participants Kevin Harvick, Brad Keselowski, Joey Logano and Austin Dillon.

All four Chase drivers will do the Sunday double. Faced with a doubleheader last week, Cup Chase drivers bailed on the Xfinity race.

Going to be a big day tmw…800 miles of racing at @CLTMotorSpdwy! #NASCAR #DoubleHeader

— Joey Logano (@joeylogano) October 8, 2016

NASCAR’s decision wasn’t met with universal approval. As rain subsided, complaints like this appeared.

@jeff_gluck sitting on my balcony in CLT and the sun is coming out. #NASCAR screwed this up.

— Steven Ellis (@FrankInStuff) October 8, 2016

@jeff_gluck @NASCAR how about the people who live in CLT. Can’t do tomorrow. Tonight is raceable. Blue skies overhead. Nice!

— Steven Ellis (@FrankInStuff) October 8, 2016

Gluck, who covers NASCAR for USA Today, wrote between those posts that racing officials had opted for public safety.

And that was the right decision.