At Fontana NASCAR Race: It's All About 'Weepers'
The rain has stopped. Looks like the bigj storm may have come in a bit early -- and left a bit early. So we might actually have a shot at getting this race (the Auto Club 500) off by 3 p.m. or so. Or two hours late.
The big issue? Well, aside from no more rain coming through?
Weepers.
In Turn 3.
Back on Friday, they had some rain here, but then it stopped, and in theory they could have tried to qualify ...
But there was moisture coming up through the track -- especially near the entry to Turn 3.
Officials here said rain earlier in the winter had left the ground fairly saturated, and that led to moisture percolating up through the seams in the asphalt/concrete.
The process is known as "weeping" ... and the long lines/spots where the water emerges are known as "weepers." And that's what we're talking about a lot here.
Wouldn't seem like that big a deal, a little bit of moisture in one spot. But drivers seemed quite alarmed. They said Turn 3 here is a little squirrely to begin with, they say, and if you have to drive over wet spots just as you're braking and turning ...
So, that's the question. We've got the main track fairly dry, as the jet engines are towed round and round.
But what is the condition back there in Turn 3?
What are the weepers up to? If they're leaking water ... the race may not happen after all. Even without any rain falling.
Comments
you hit the nail on the head.a season ticket holder since the track open, i gave them up two years ago. sit here, eat here, park here. i came to enjoy myself. not being told what to do. i spend three days out there. i felt sorry for people who came out there on fri. and sat. who only wanted to but souviers. you had to have a ticket to get into the fenched area to buy stuff. one more thing. a couple of years without notice in your season package you park here or there. you could not park with your friends any more, or tail gate with them.thats another reason people gave up.i don't want to take up more of you time, but i can tell you a lot more about that place. please do a follow up. p.s. very good job. if you want to call me, 310 326-6141. thanks
Posted by: bob jones | February 24, 2008 3:04 PM