The Richmond Raceway weekend is shaping up to be a mix of summer heat and brief weather interruptions as NASCAR teams prepare for back-to-back short-track battles. Drivers, crews, and fans should expect highs in the mid-80s during the day, with evenings cooling into the low 70s. While the forecast includes a 30% chance of scattered showers each day, the track is expected to remain largely dry, allowing the NASCAR Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series to proceed with minimal disruption.
Key Highlights
- Thursday: Mostly sunny with highs in the mid-80s, slight chance of rain (30%)
- Friday: Similar temperatures, minor delays possible for Truck and Cup qualifying
- Saturday: Partly cloudy with isolated showers unlikely to disrupt Cook Out 400
- 39 cars entered for Cup, 37 trucks entered for Craftsman race
- Several driver debuts and returns, including Christian Eckes, Caleb Costner, and Matt Gould
Thursday Weather and Early Practice
Thursday’s schedule will see teams beginning their Richmond preparations under mostly sunny skies. Daytime temperatures are expected to reach the mid-80s, dropping to the low 70s at night. A 30% chance of scattered showers exists, but most practice and qualifying sessions should proceed without interruption. Teams are advised to monitor conditions closely, as brief rain delays could appear. Track crews will work to ensure the asphalt stays in optimal condition, giving drivers a clear chance to dial in setups ahead of Friday’s action.
Friday Forecast and Truck Series Action
Friday brings similar weather, with daytime highs again in the mid-80s and lows in the low 70s. The 30% chance of rain could cause minor delays, particularly during the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualifying and practice sessions. The eero 250 is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET on FOX Sports 1. Thirty-seven trucks are entered, meaning one driver could miss the race unless entry list changes occur.
Notable drivers returning or debuting in the Trucks include Brent Crews in the No. 1 for TRICON Garage, Christian Eckes in the No. 16 for McAnally Hilgemann Racing, and Caleb Costner making his series debut in the No. 74 for Mike Harmon Racing. Several other changes, like Matt Gould in the No. 41 for Niece Motorsports and Kaden Honeycutt in the No. 52 for Halmar Friesen Racing, add intrigue to Friday night’s event.
Saturday Forecast and Cup Series Competition
Saturday should see the Richmond track mostly dry, with daytime highs in the mid-80s and nighttime lows in the low 70s. Partly cloudy skies will dominate, and the 30% chance of isolated showers is unlikely to affect the Cook Out 400. The Cup Series race begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. Thirty-nine cars are on the entry list, guaranteeing a full field barring last-minute changes.
Jesse Love will drive the No. 33 for Richard Childress Racing, Corey Heim pulls double duty in the No. 67 for 23XI Racing, and the NY Racing Team’s No. 44 remains without an announced driver. Teams will need to stay alert to minor weather fluctuations, but conditions should favor a full night of competitive racing.
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News in Brief: 2025 Richmond Race Weekend Weather Forecast
Richmond Raceway’s NASCAR weekend is expected to see mostly dry weather despite a 30% chance of scattered showers Thursday through Saturday. Thursday and Friday practice sessions should continue with minimal delays, while the Truck Series eero 250 takes place Friday at 7:30 p.m. ET with 37 trucks entered, including several debuts. The Cup Series Cook Out 400 runs Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET with 39 cars.
ALSO READ: Richmond Raceway Weekend Schedule: Cup and Truck Series Head to Virginia
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. What type of track is Richmond?
A. Richmond Raceway, located in Richmond, Virginia, is a 0.750-mile (1.207 km) D-shaped oval short track. It was called Richmond Fairgrounds Raceway from 1969 to 1988 and Richmond International Raceway from 1988 to 2017.
Q. Is Richmond a short track?
A. Dubbed America’s Premier Short Track, Richmond Raceway has hosted NASCAR events since 1953, when Lee Petty won in a Dodge on the original half-mile dirt track at the Richmond Fairgrounds.
Q. How long is the racetrack at Richmond?
A. In 1968, Richmond Raceway’s dirt surface was paved, and in 1988, the track was reconfigured to its current 3/4-mile oval layout. It remains the only 3/4-mile track in NASCAR, hosting two series visits annually from 1958 to 2024.
