Nice weather on tap for Sunday's NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway

After storms caused delays on Friday, drier conditions will hold through Sunday's NASCAR race at Pocono Raceway.

Racing at Long Pond, Pennsylvania, this weekend will conclude with Sunday's NASCAR Monster Energy series Gander Outdoors 400 at 2:30 p.m. Sunday.

A lull in the drenching downpours that developed on Saturday will continue through Sunday for most racing activities at Pocono, according to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek.

On Friday, rain and thunderstorms caused the ARCA race to end early. Officials at Pocono Raceway advised fans to clear the grandstands due to the threat of lightning.

Less humid conditions and dry weather are forecast for the 400-mile-long race on Sunday.

Temperatures are expected to rise into the middle to upper 70s for the afternoon as sunshine mixes with clouds. Spectators will want to apply sunscreen before heading to the track.

AccuWeather is now the official weather service provider for the Pocono Raceway, as well as the presenting partner of the Raceway's "Worry-Free Weather Guarantee."

AccuWeather will play a vital role in keeping fans and Raceway personnel safe by providing the track with real-time weather updates during its upcoming Gander Outdoors 400 and ABC Supply 500 race weekends.

The Worry-Free Weather Guarantee Presented by AccuWeather ensures that fans who purchased Sunday tickets directly from Pocono Raceway in advance will be reimbursed the face value if weather postpones the race and they are unable to make the re-scheduled event.

Fans are encouraged to heed any weather warnings and seek shelter in a solid structure, such as a hard-top vehicle, as they are issued. Tents and canopies are not considered to be safe areas during a thunderstorm.

Download the free AccuWeather app to stay informed about any weather issues and warnings and to obtain the most accurate forecasts.

Because of the several inches of rain that fell earlier this past week, parking conditions may remain soggy and muddy in some locations.

Moving forward in the NASCAR schedule, racing activities at Watkins Glen International, New York, could be subject to delays and disruptions on Sunday, Aug. 5, if a storm set to track from the Midwest drops far enough to the south to deliver showers and thunderstorms.

Why is Pocono Raceway a cool and sometimes wet spot in the racing scene?

Pocono Raceway is located in the Pocono Mountains of northeastern Pennsylvania at an approximate elevation of 2,000 feet above sea level.

During late July, daytime highs average in the upper 70s to near 80, while nighttime lows average within a few degrees of 60. Average temperatures are several degrees lower during early June and late August.

On a hot summer day, the vast open area with extensive paved surfaces can heat up like most other locations in the NASCAR circuit.

However, under certain weather conditions, the high elevation can provide a break from the heat often experienced at many race tracks during the summer. This is especially the case at night for the thousands of campers that make the meadows of the parking area home for the weekend.

Because the track is located in the Pocono Plateau, it can also experience more summertime shower and thunderstorm activity and cooling during downpours than lower elevations in the region.

The large tri-oval can also experience variable weather conditions from one part to the next. It could rain on one part of the track and not the other.

The track at Long Pond is a unique 2.5-mile triangle, which also boasts the longest straightaway (3,740 feet) in any North American speedway. However, the three hairpin curves result in a lower average speed of similar 2.5-mile tracks and give the track road course characteristics.

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