NORTH WILKESBORO, N.C. — Intermittent rain and lightning have altered Saturday’s All-Star Weekend schedule at North Wilkesboro Speedway, bringing the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race under a red flag.
The Wright Brand 250 began on time and was halted after 81 of a scheduled 250 laps were completed. The race was stopped by a brief shower and lightning, and a downpour near 3:30 p.m. ET drenched the 0.625-mile track.
A pair of 60-lap qualifying heats for All-Star Race drivers remain on the schedule for Saturday, with start times of approximately 5:20 p.m. and 6:15 p.m. ET (FS2, MRN Radio, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio) that may be impacted by the inclement weather.
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Rain also canceled Craftsman Truck Series qualifying Saturday morning, forcing the lineup to be set according to the NASCAR Rule Book and placing series points leader Christian Eckes first for the green flag. Eckes led the first 62 laps before Ty Majeski took control to win Stage 1.
Rain showers bookended a brief midday period of sunshine, which allowed NASCAR All-Star Race qualifying to take place. Joey Logano placed his No. 22 Team Penske Ford on the pole position, and the No. 20 Joe Gibbs Racing Toyota crew won the Pit Crew Challenge competition that was incorporated into the three-lap qualifying format.
This story will be updated.
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