2022 NASCAR Cup Series Race Seventeen Nashville

After a thoroughly enjoyable NHRA broadcast, we tuned in to the NASCAR race since the IMSA race doesn’t appear to be airing on broadcast television. The NASCAR Cup race was under a red flag for lightning. The 36 cars are rolling around under caution at 1839 eastern time. The stages are 90-95-115.

Between a so-so track, based on last year’s performance, and the NBC broadcast NASCAR is not at the top of our viewing choices.

MRN reports the red flag period was 1 hour 28 minutes.

Caution on lap 29 of 300 for a crash by Alex Bowman (48).

Bowman crash clocked out of the race.

Caution on lap 61 of 300 for a crash involving Chase Briscoe (14) and Ty Dillon (42).

Martin ‘MTJ’ Truex Jr (19) wins stage one.

Caution on lap 118 of 300 for rain.

MRN is really hyper calling the race, but the television product is not remotely exciting. I don’t know if MRN is over-selling or if NBCSports is mucking up the coverage.

Caution on lap 138 of 300 for lightning within 8 miles of the race track. The red flag will be displayed once the cars are stopped on pit road on lap 139 of 300.

MRN is turning the radio broadcast over to local stations at 2020 eastern and will do updates at the top and bottom of each hour. They say we have officially lost the track due to the thunderstorm.

NBCSports has twice shown the track; a couple of vehicles with lights on and heavy rain. The tv broadcast is showing various taped pieces and two driver interviews during the rain delay. Seemingly they only show rain when they say rain – on in and out bumps. Rick Allen and Steve Letarte seem to be in a different studio than Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr. Each team seems to have a few minutes to talk between the recorded pieces. They showed Dolly Parton talking about what it takes to make a dream come true (or so it seemed to be her subject). That was odd. It didn’t seem remotely related to NASCAR.

2056 eastern – NBC may have called the racing for tonight – they mentioned watching it at noon on USA network tomorrow, but they also mentioned there may be more tonight. Ah, it may resume at 10:30pm tonight, or it will resume tomorrow, but they’re off the NBC network for tonight.

MRN’s 2100 eastern update – they report there is a rainbow over the race track. The track drying team is on the track trying to dry the 1.33 mile surface. The rain has stopped. They will provide further update at the bottom of the hour.

MRN’s 2155 edt update – the track is almost dry and racing will continue. Drivers are back in the cars. They gave the signal to start the engines at 2200 eastern.

The caution flag has been displayed.

MRN reports there are still rain cells in the area.

Restarting on lap 150 of 300 at 2220 eastern time with teammates Martin ‘MTJ’ Truex Jr (19) and ‘Desperate’ Denny Hamlin (11) on the front row.

Caution on lap 291 of 300 for Josh Bilicki (77) losing an engine.

Chase Elliott (9), the leader, has the oldest tires on the track. Starting alongside, Kurt ‘KuBu’ Busch (45) has 10 lap newer tires, as does everyone back to position 11 where Kyle ‘KyBu’ Busch (18) and the rest have four new tires as the field restarts with five laps to go.

Chase Elliott (9) gets the early lead on the restart.

Brad ‘it’ Keselowski (6) hits the outside wall – the race stays green.

Chase Elliott (9) takes the white flag.

Chase Elliott (9) wins.

Boring race as televised. MRN’s announcers really seemed to enjoy the race, and saw a lot more action than the NBC broadcast’s viewer.

Motorsport News:

Next Race: Road America

GO 48 & 9!!!!