If you’re planning on going to the Daytona International Speedway this year for the big race, then you might wonder if it’s still raining on the east coast. You might have heard that the 2019 season was plagued by storms and bad weather, so you’d maybe want to skip the race if you’re from the area.
While it’s true that a lot of bad weather moved into the area in March and April, the good news is that things have calmed down since then.
We looked into the current weather conditions in Volusia County, Florida, where the Daytona International Speedway is located. According to weather data from the National Weather Service, things are looking up for the speedway.
There have been no reports of precipitation in the county since April 16. This is certainly a good sign for race fans looking to make the trip to Daytona this year.
Rain Hasn’t Affected The Track
As mentioned above, while it rained heavily in the area in March and April, there haven’t been any reports of precipitation since then. This doesn’t mean that the track is in perfect conditions or that the bad weather is over.
Daytona International Speedway is actually situated in a somewhat unusual spot. The city of Daytona Beach is actually located on the northern shore of Halifax Bay, which is part of the Atlantic Ocean. This location prevents the track from being directly hit by hurricanes and tropical storms. It doesn’t touch land, so it never floods, which is why the track is still in operation today. When things calm down, the track offers a remarkable view of the sunset, with the mainland far behind you.
This year will mark the 71st running of the Daytona International Speedway. The track opened on February 4, 1960, and has hosted some of the most important races in American sports, including the Daytona 500, the Heroes and Villains of NASCAR, the World 600, and the Coke Zero 400. It also hosted the 1996 Summer Olympics’ swimming trials.
Conditions Are Improving
While it’s great that the rain stopped in Volusia County, it’s important to note that the outlook for the area doesn’t look good. According to weather data from the National Weather Service, things will get worse before they get better. Between May and September, the region has an average of 14 days with rain. This is definitely less than ideal if you’re a race fan.
The season is still young, but there’s already been one day with rain this year, which was on April 9. If conditions don’t start improving, then the chances of seeing some dry weather in the area are remote. This is certainly bad news for anyone whose idea of a perfect day is spent in the drizzle.
Storms Will Still Move Into The Area
While the weather isn’t bad, there’s one more piece of bad news. Daytona International Speedway isn’t the only place that got hit by bad weather earlier this year. A series of storms in late February and early March moved in and caused significant damage. It wouldn’t be a bad idea to stay away from areas near the coastline, especially if you have a car.
On March 27, the National Weather Service issued a coastal flood advisory, warning that portions of Volusia, Santa Rosa, and Duval counties were at risk of flooding due to heavy rain and storm surge from a tropical weather system. A day later, the agency lifted the advisory, but warned that additional flooding could occur as the water level in the ocean continued to rise. While the rain finally stopped in April, the water level in the ocean hasn’t gone down, and there are still major concerns over the possible effects of climate change on the area.
Even if you don’t live in the area or weren’t planning on going to the big race, it’s still worth paying attention to the current situation. The last thing anyone wants is to go to the airport only to find out that the runway is obstructed by floodwater. This could mean a long delay while they try to find a different way to get you there.
One of the most important factors at a racetrack is the track surface. The right surface can make all the difference in the outcome of a race. When it comes to the Daytona International Speedway, it’s concrete. It’s also the same surface that was used when the track first opened in 1960. There is no rolling stock on the track; all the cars are driven on concrete.
The surface of the Daytona International Speedway is a vital component of any good race. It needs to be easy to dry off after a wet race so that the cars don’t suffer greatly while warming up for the next one. It also needs to be easy to maintain so that it stays in good condition. Finally, the surface needs to provide good grip, since most of the races are conducted on a track that is lined with a lot of turns.
Daytona International Speedway‘s concrete surface was already in bad condition when the area was hit by flooding this year. The concrete started deteriorating quickly due to exposure to water and oxygen, which is why crews had to replace it before the start of the year. The new surface was laid down in early February and will be used for the rest of the year. While it’s great that the concrete is being replaced, it’s still important to remember that it’s not the best surface for a car race track. Concrete is better suited for sports such as soccer or football, since it’s easier for the athletes to slide on occasion and maybe even hit a little bit of metal when they run to catch the ball. At a car race track, it can be very different. You might experience some hydroplaning when entering or exiting a turn. This is when the tires get stuck in the water, making it very hard for the vehicle to keep its stable position. There are plenty of other surfaces that are better suited for a race track, and the community of Daytona Beach needs to select a new one for their upcoming races. While it’s great that concrete is being replaced, the lack of preparedness for the upcoming year is concerning.
A Look At The Future
Even if you don’t live in the Daytona Beach area or were planning on skipping the race due to bad weather, it’s still worth paying attention to what will happen in the coming months. While it’s great that there haven’t been any reports of precipitation in Volusia County since April 16, it’s still very likely that more bad weather is on the way.
The season is still young, but it wouldn’t be a bad idea to prepare for the worse. If you live in the area and were planning on going to the big race, then you might want to bring an umbrella and raincoat just in case. If you don’t live in Florida or were planning on skipping the race, then you might want to consider buying rain insurance, just in case. Either way, it’s worth being ready for the worst.