Snow, Sleet and Racing: A Lesson in Road Safety

The winter storm that swept North Georgia also dumped heavy snow on North Carolina, forcing NASCAR’s opening Clash race at Bowman Gray Stadium to shift from a Sunday event to Wednesday. State officials advised people to stay off the roads for several days following the storm.

A Tight, Short Track

The Clash takes place on a short, flat quarter‑mile track that is half the size of NASCAR’s smallest regular circuits.

• Lower speeds but close quarters mean that even a small mistake can lead to a crash.
• In the first 100 laps of the dry race, only two accidents occurred.

During the halfway break, rain and sleet hit. Ten more crashes happened, slowing the race significantly.

Wet Conditions Take Over

Wet conditions turned the track’s rubber‑lined groove into a slick surface that even grooved tires could not grip.

• The race time extended beyond the scheduled three hours, causing Fox to move the broadcast to FS2.
• Constant caution flags made it hard for viewers to follow.

Ryan Preece Wins

Ryan Preece of Connecticut took the win, but the race highlighted that even professional drivers struggle on icy or wet roads. Their high‑speed cars are far more aggressive than everyday vehicles, yet they cannot handle the same hazards that ordinary drivers face.

Lessons for All Drivers

The storm’s impact on Georgia’s roads was less severe than in 2014 because most people avoided driving, giving crews time to clear the streets and preventing emergency services from being overwhelmed by crashes.
When roads are slick, everyone—professional or not—should exercise extra caution.