After problem in Montreal, Logano hoping for no rain

One week after the Nationwide Series race in Montreal made NASCAR history by running in the rain, the series once again will be on a road course at Watkins Glen International for Saturday's Zippo 200.

For 18-year-old Joey Logano, Montreal marked his first run on a road course. Not surprisingly, Logano was impressive, running consistently near the front.

Fast facts

What	Zippo 200
When	3 p.m. ET Saturday
TV	ABC, 2:30 p.m. ET
Radio	MRN (Sirius Ch. 28), 2:30 ET

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• By the Numbers: The Glen

"[Montreal] favors the road-course ringers," said Logano, who became the Nationwide Series' youngest winner in his third race, at Kentucky. "It's a little technical. Braking is a big deal. It's a lot different from Watkins Glen. I wasn't too excited about going [to Watkins Glen], but everyone says it's a lot easier than Montreal. But, we will see about that."

Last week's race was already official on Lap 47 when the rain began to fall harder. The downpour, combined with the backsplash from the gathering puddles on the racing surface, made it difficult for the drivers to see, forcing NASCAR to call a caution.

But even under caution and at a slower speed, there was trouble. First, former Formula One champion Jacques Villeneuve ran into the back of Ron Hornaday, and then Logano ran into the lapped car of Alex Garcia.

One lap later, NASCAR called the race because of lack of visibility. Logano was scored in 17th after his wreck.

More than bad memories have followed Logano to Watkins Glen from Montreal: There is a chance of showers and thunderstorms throughout the weekend across upstate New York, meaning a return of rain tires at the Zippo 200 is possible.

"I have mixed emotions about it," Logano said. "If it's wet out and it's drizzling a little bit, it's one thing. But it was a downpour, and it got a little dangerous and a lapped car got in the way. They did call it, but I wish they called it one lap earlier.

"If we're going to run in the rain again this weekend, we're going to be a little scared about it now, and I think NASCAR will be more prepared, too. We're preparing cars a little better for the rain now."

NASCAR's Tracey Judd said NASCAR won't do anything differently at Watkins Glen than it did at Montreal.

"Nothing has changed from any of the NNS road races this year," she said. "It's mandatory that the cars are prepped to run in the rain. In the event of rain during the event, they'll have three minutes to bolt on tires and get the external wiper blade on and squirt on some Rain-X."

The best scenario, of course, is no rain. But if it does ... "I hope it will be a little better than last week," Logano said.