In 2024, rain affected six out of the 36 scheduled NASCAR Cup Series races, significantly disrupting race weekends. The famed Daytona 500, for example, was rescheduled, highlighting just how big an impact the weather can have on this sport. While rain tires have offered a temporary solution, officials are wondering if more can be done to reduce the risk of this happening again in the future.
In light of these challenges, a proposal has emerged to potentially revolutionize the sport’s approach to weather disruptions: domed tracks. Once merely speculative, the concept of enclosing race tracks under domes is gaining attention thanks to advocacy from teams like Joe Gibbs Racing.
Despite the potential benefits, this idea is not without its complexities. “The main issue for a NASCAR track would be the cost,” the Joe Gibbs Racing Team remarked in a detailed Instagram video (below), pointing to a historical proposal to dome a one-mile track in Connecticut for $400 million as a reference point for the financial strain such projects could entail.
The team further suggests that doming smaller-scale tracks, like the half-mile Bristol Motor Speedway, could serve as a manageable prototype, estimating costs at $80 million.
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“A roof at Bristol Motor Speedway at half a mile is actually feasible. It would come at the cost of $80 million. The key would be not fully enclosing the track giving emissions and sound a place to go. But this idea would be way too expensive at some of the larger tracks such as Talladega at over two and a half miles.”
These proposals, while innovative, must navigate a labyrinth of logistical and technical challenges. Variations in track shapes and sizes, like the differences between Daytona and Bristol, complicate the design and erecting of such domes. Plus, these enclosures could heighten noise and emissions due to echoes and a lack of natural dissipation, making it an unhealthy option for fans. This complexity, coupled with costs reminiscent of the mentioned Connecticut case, makes this a difficult project to get behind.
In parallel to these proposed domes, NASCAR continues to use existing technology to counter weather-related hindrances. An example of this is the Air Titan system. Developed by NASCAR’s R&D Center, the Air Titan 2.0 system has become a crucial player in mitigating rain delays, as confirmed by former NASCAR Chairman and CEO Brian France.
“Developed by our engineers at the NASCAR R&D Center, Air Titan 2.0 will help us more quickly return to racing, which serves our most important mission — the enjoyment of our fans. It’s faster, more agile and eco-friendly. The new Air Titan creates the ultimate win-win-win for our sport, our fans and our environment.” This system, delivering air at 585 mph, has not only cut down track-drying times by 25-50% but also operates on 78% less fuel and cuts CO2 emissions by 80%, making it ultra-efficient.
Despite technological advancements such as the Air Titan, NASCAR still struggles to manage unexpected weather upheavals during races. Maybe some sort of dome could be a good idea, but it would take a much smarter person than me to perfect the idea.
