Rain threatens Saturday activities at the track
LAS VEGAS – With nearly a 90 percent chance of rain today at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, eight Nationwide Series drivers hope it clears in time for qualifying while the entire 43-driver field hopes the race starts sometime today.
Qualifying is scheduled for noon EST today, followed by Sprint Cup practices from 1:40-2:20 p.m. and 2:45-3:50 p.m.
The Nationwide race is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. today.
As of 9 a.m. EST, the track was dry. The National Weather Service forecast calls for a 38 percent chance of rain until 1 p.m., with it rising to 88 percent chance of rain from 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. and then dropping to 65 percent for the next six hours.
The track has lights and the race could be run well into the night. If the race is rained out, it likely would be run Monday morning.
If Nationwide Series qualifying gets rained out today, the top 30 in 2009 owner points get into the field as well as likely the following drivers:
• Previous series champion: Baker Curb Racing’s Greg Biffle
• Current top-30 in owner points: Roush Fenway Racing’s Paul Menard, Braun Racing’s Brian Scott, RAB Racing’s Scott Riggs, and Day Enterprises Racing’s Willie Allen.
• Most attempts with ties broken by owner points: Faith Motorsports’ Morgan Shepherd, Stott Classic Racing’s Andy Ponstein, TriStar Motorsports’ Jason Keller, ML Motorsports’ Shelby Howard, Stratus Racing Group’s Derrike Cope, Mac Hill Racing’s Kevin Lepage, Borneman Motorsports’ John Borneman III and Davis Motorsports’ Jeremy Clements.
Missing the race would be D’Hondt Humphrey Motorsports’ Stephen Leicht, Efland Racing’s Danny Efland, Team 42 Racing’s Parker Kligerman, Jay Robinson Racing’s Mark Green, K Automotive Motorsports’ Johnny Chapman, D’Hondt Humphrey’s Danny O’Quinn Jr. and K Automotive’s Dennis Setzer.
