NASCAR’s Cup playoff at Texas still on hold because of mist
FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — NASCAR was still working to dry the track at Texas Motor Speedway late Monday afternoon in hopes of resuming its Cup Series playoff race that was halted a day earlier because of drizzle and misty conditions.
The only laps being completed on the 1 1/2mile track were by the Air Titan and jet dryer trucks. The race cars remained parked in the garage.
There was no official word from NASCAR on when, or even if, the race might proceed on the dreary when temperatures dipped into the low 40s Fahrenheit ( single digits Celsius) with periods of misty conditions and some drizzle. The forecast calls for similar conditions through Wednesday.
Only 52 of the 334 laps were completed Sunday before mist and drizzle forced the race to stop. There was a delay of more than four hours before the race was postponed until Monday morning.
Two drivers retiring from full-time NASCAR competition after this season, Clint Bowyer and seven-time Cup champion Jimmie Johnson, were running 1-2 when the race was halted.
The cars kept running for eight laps after the weather caution first came out, with jet dryers circling the track at the same time. The cars sat uncovered on pit road for about half an hour before the tarps came out and the drivers and crews headed for cover.
Erik Jones was running third, ahead of Joey Logano, the only driver locked into a spot in the final four after winning a week earlier at Kansas.
Martin Truex Jr. was in fifth place, having already recovered from being forced to start at the back of the field because of an illegal spoiler. He was just ahead of fellow playoff contender Chase Elliott.
Kevin Harvick, who has won the last three fall races in Texas and is a ninetime winner this season, brushed the wall while leading on Lap 29. With damage to his car’s right side, he was 36th and one lap down when the race stopped.