Has a NASCAR race ever been stopped by the snowy hand of winter? Uncovering the unlikely foe

Every NASCAR season, a handful of races are expected to be delayed or postponed due to rainy weather. While it's uncommon, NASCAR has seen multiple races plagued by snowy weather as well.

Most of the time, NASCAR hasn't had to worry about snow as they begin the season primarily at southern or western racetracks with warmer temperatures. However, it isn't unheard of for NASCAR to see snowflakes trickle down upon the racetrack and cause a delay or postponement. Here, we'll look back at three instances where snow threw a wrench in NASCAR's plans:

2018 STP 500, Martinsville Speedway

The most recent NASCAR race to be plagued by winter weather was the 2018 STP 500 at the Martinsville Speedway. Originally scheduled for Sunday, March 25, the race was moved to Monday, March 26, after snow covered the Virginia short track, forcing NASCAR to move the event. Saturday's CRAFTSMAN Truck Series race was postponed, too, making Monday a Truck/Cup doubleheader.

John Hunter Nemechek won the Truck Series event that morning behind the wheel of the #8 truck, the sixth win of his career. Clint Bowyer, meanwhile, won the Cup Series event behind the wheel of the #14 Stewart-Haas Racing Ford. It was Bowyer's ninth career victory and first since October 2012.

2006 Sharpie Mini 300, Bristol Motor Speedway

The half-mile short track in Bristol, Tennessee, saw some winter weather that halted a NASCAR Xfinity Series, formally Busch Series event back on March 25, 2006. In the early stages of the event, snow began to fall across the Bristol Motor Speedway, causing a lengthy red flag.

Unlike the 2018 STP 500, NASCAR was able to finish the race that evening after the weather cleared up. Kyle Busch won the race behind the wheel of the #5 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet. His older brother, Kurt Busch, won the Cup Series race the following day and famously did a snow angel on the start-finish line to celebrate.

1993 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway

One of the more memorable NASCAR races delayed by snow was the 1993 Motorcraft Quality Parts 500 at the Atlanta Motor Speedway. The event was supposed to take place on Sunday, March 14, 1993, but a whopping three feet of snow doomed NASCAR's chances of starting the race on its original date. The area was hit by the 1993 "Storm of the Century," which littered the eastern part of the United States with multiple feet of snow.

The race didn't take place until six days later on March 20. It was notable for nearly being Jeff Gordon's first career win, but a late-race crash ended the driver of the #24 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet's chances. Morgan Shepherd went on to record his fourth and final Cup Series victory.