After recent winter storms in northern Georgia, many drivers stayed off the roads, but notable accidents still occurred on I-985 and Highway 316 in Gwinnett County. Highlighting the danger of slick roads, even highly skilled NASCAR drivers faced challenges during these conditions, demonstrating that winter driving risks are not limited to everyday motorists.
Winter Storm Forces NASCAR to Alter and Delay Its Season Kickoff
The annual season-opening NASCAR exhibition, The Clash, was scheduled for Sunday, February 1st at Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. However, the same powerful storm that blanketed northeast Georgia with snow deposited record levels in North Carolina, complicating travel and logistics. Initially, NASCAR condensed the weekend’s events into a single-day program, but persistent snow and freezing temperatures led to a further postponement to Monday—then ultimately to Wednesday, as road conditions remained hazardous and local authorities discouraged travel in the days immediately following the storm.
Returning to Racing Amid Icy Roads and Unpredictable Weather
When Wednesday, February 4th finally brought clearer roads, NASCAR was able to host all planned events and the main race. Surrounding roadways and the track had been treated and cleared, raising hopes for a smooth event. The headline race started at 6:30 p.m., offering a prime viewing slot on FOX. However, midway through the race, heavy rain mixed with sleet interrupted proceedings, dramatically changing track conditions.
Unique Short Track Provides Extra Challenges Under Winter Conditions
Bowman-Gray Stadium offers a distinctive racing environment: a quarter-mile track circling the football field at Winston-Salem State University. This track is half the length of NASCAR’s shortest regular venues, resulting in lower speeds, tight quarters, and a completely flat layout. To make competitive passes, drivers must take significant risks or wait for mistakes, which are only amplified in poor weather.
Switch to Wet Weather Tires Fails to Prevent Chaos on Track
NASCAR events typically use slick, treadless tires for maximum surface contact, but for this slower, smaller venue, teams were allowed to switch to wet weather tires once the rain set in. Nevertheless, these measures did little to stop a chaotic sequence: only two crashes paused the race during the first 100 dry laps, but the rain and sleet triggered 10 caution flags in the second half as skilled drivers lost control repeatedly. Lap times slowed by about four seconds, and track conditions deteriorated further when falling precipitation froze over the rubber-coated lower section of the track, making it treacherous even on specialized tires.
Race Runs Long as Caution Flags Multiply and Broadcasts Shift
Rain racing proved both entertaining and frustrating; as the number of caution laps increased, so did the sense of disruption. The prolonged race forced FOX to move coverage to a secondary channel, FS2, after the event exceeded the three-hour time slot for completing just 50 miles. Ultimately, Ryan Preece, a Connecticut native, took the win during this drama-filled exhibition.
Even Elite Drivers Aren’t Immune to Winter Driving Hazards
While competition on a short, enclosed race track is not the same as commuting on public roads, the struggles of these expert drivers highlight that no one is immune to the hazards of icy streets. NASCAR stars, piloting powerful racecars designed for speed and grip, were stymied by slick surfaces—just as ordinary drivers might be.
The Broader Lesson: Take Heed from the Pros’ Struggles
Though the circumstances between a stock car race and a typical commute may differ, the challenges posed by slippery or frozen roads are consistent, whether one is driving a racecar or a tractor-trailer. This winter, most Georgia residents allowed crews ample room to treat the streets, preventing a repeat of the massive pileups from 2014 and sparing first responders from managing dozens of preventable accidents. The message is clear: if even professional drivers like those seen in NASCAR’s winter events struggle in these conditions, the risks for everyday drivers are even greater. Taking precautions and avoiding travel during severe winter weather remains a wise—possibly life-saving—choice.
“Doug Turnbull covers the traffic/transportation beat for 11Alive with Rachel Cox-Rosen.”
– Doug Turnbull, Traffic Reporter
