Rain threatens race at Dover International Speedway

A sheet of dark clouds are already looming above the Dover International Speedway. Thunderstorms are expected to hit Friday just as the 2016 NASCAR Race Series is set to start. However, officials are hoping their luck in the past will come through again this time around.

Gary Camp, the senior director of communications at the speedway says, “In the fall for example, a hurricane was supposed to come through. Most of the events were able to go on as scheduled; so fingers crossed that we make out okay.”

The speedway has a meteorologist on staff monitoring everything. About 100,000 fans will be in town for the race over the course of the weekend. Tom Meekins has been coming since 1989. He’s here for the atmosphere.

Tom Meekins says, “It’s like a brotherhood of people. Everybody helps everybody out. We don’t care if it rains or not.”

If it does rain, Meekins is ready. His whole camp site is covered with hay.

Meekins explains why, “It sucks up all the mud so you don’t track so much mud in the camper. I would look like that (wet mud) if I didn’t have the hay down. I mean that’s pretty bad.”

Just up the way from Meekins’ camper, are the Keever’s. They’re celebrating their 37th anniversary. They didn’t even flinch about the idea of a wash out.

Pat Keever says, “It’s nice to just get out, relax, and you know just have a good time.”

Pat says, “I’ll just get wet haha,” when referring to a possible storm.

According to officials, cars won’t be able to race in light rain. However, event cancellations won’t happen until shortly before they’re scheduled to start.

Those updates will be available on the speedway’s app, social media sites, and website. Click here for more.