Lightning and rain halt NASCAR Cup race at Atlanta before halfway point
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 13, 2026, 12:36 AM
Last updated Jul 13, 2026
The NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta was red-flagged after 109 laps due to lightning in the vicinity. At the time of the stoppage, Ryan Blaney led the field, with Bubba Wallace and Tyler Reddick close behind. There were no incidents reported in the first portion of the race, and all cars remained on the track. Rain began to fall shortly after the delay was announced, and NASCAR requires the race to reach lap 131 for it to be considered official. Weather forecasts indicate ongoing rain throughout the day, raising concerns about the continuation of the event.
- •Race halted after 109 laps due to lightning near the track.
- •Ryan Blaney leads the race; all cars still running.
- •Race must reach lap 131 to be considered official.
- •Rain started shortly after the red flag was issued.
- •Weather forecasts predict continued rain for the day.
- 3:50 AMYahoo Sports — Lightning and rain cause delay with Blaney leading NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta
- 12:36 AMYahoo Sports — Lightning and rain halts NASCAR Cup Atlanta race just before halfway
- 12:36 AMMotorsport.com — Lightning and rain stops NASCAR Cup Atlanta race just before halfway
- 12:28 AMYahoo Sports — NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta delayed by lightning
"About halfway through Stage 2, a lightning strike within eight miles of EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) forced NASCAR to immediately red flag the race, bringing the field of 38 cars down pit road. There were no incidents in the first 100 or so laps of racing and all cars are still running. The event needs to reach Lap 131 to be official as that is the halfway point of the ...Keep reading
"Pole winner Ryan Blaney held the lead when lightning caused a delay in the NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway.
"The Quaker State 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on July 12 at EchoPark Speedway is being delayed for lightning.
Sources
External links- Yahoo SportsJul 13, 2026, 3:50 AMLightning and rain cause delay with Blaney leading NASCAR Cup Series race in Atlanta
Pole winner Ryan Blaney held the lead when lightning caused a delay in the NASCAR Cup Series race at EchoPark Speedway.
- Yahoo SportsJul 13, 2026, 12:36 AMLightning and rain halts NASCAR Cup Atlanta race just before halfway
NASCAR had to stop the race after 109 of 260 laps at EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta)
- Motorsport.comJul 13, 2026, 12:36 AMLightning and rain stops NASCAR Cup Atlanta race just before halfway
About halfway through Stage 2, a lightning strike within eight miles of EchoPark Speedway (formerly Atlanta Motor Speedway) forced NASCAR to immediately red flag the race, bringing the field of 38 cars down pit road. There were no incidents in the first 100 or so laps of racing and all cars are still running. The event needs to reach Lap 131 to be official as that is the halfway point of the ...Keep reading
- Yahoo SportsJul 13, 2026, 12:28 AMNASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta delayed by lightning
The Quaker State 400 NASCAR Cup Series race on July 12 at EchoPark Speedway is being delayed for lightning.
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