An Analysis of Optimal Meteorological Conditions at Selected NASCAR Facilities

The purpose of this research is to determine the optimum time of year to hold an event at selected NASCAR tracks. This project is important to the NASCAR industry because it aims to minimize the number of events postponed or cancelled due to poor weather conditions and focus on keeping fans comfortable. This analysis is based on a set of optimum meteorological conditions intended to maximize fan comfort. These conditions include limits on: (1) a calculated apparent temperature that includes both moisture and wind chill effects, (2) wind speed, and (3) the presence of precipitation. Hourly weather data taken from a representative observation site located near each chosen track is examined and the frequency of optimum conditions is identified for specified periods (e.g., number of hours during the 1st week of a month, 2nd week of a month, etc.) to determine the optimum time for an event.