The race was halted under a lightning hold at 8:25 p.m. Eastern/7:25 p.m. Central, with a storm cell near the track in Hampton, Georgia.
No rain had fallen at the time of the red flag, but did fall a few minutes after the race was paused.
Despite a dicey weather forecast, the race began on time just after 7:15 p.m. Eastern.
Ryan Blaney is the leader.
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) (Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Clemco Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Campers Inn RV Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Riley Herbst, driver of the #35 Monster Energy Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Josh Berry, driver of the #21 eero Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Austin Hill, driver of the #33 BANK OZK Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: William Byron, driver of the #24 HP Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts / CHOA Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Freebird Spring Water Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 SuperFile Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Crew chief Cliff Daniels (L) and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, talk on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, laughs on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, lead the field on a pace lap prior to he NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, leads the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) (Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)1 / 26
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, leads the field to the green flag to start the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images) (Meg Oliphant, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ricky Stenhouse Jr., driver of the #47 Clemco Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Connor Zilisch, driver of the #88 Red Bull Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: AJ Allmendinger, driver of the #16 Campers Inn RV Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Riley Herbst, driver of the #35 Monster Energy Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Josh Berry, driver of the #21 eero Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Austin Hill, driver of the #33 BANK OZK Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Carson Hocevar, driver of the #77 Zeigler Auto Group Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Brad Keselowski, driver of the #6 BuildSubmarines.com Ford, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Christopher Bell, driver of the #20 Rheem Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Daniel Suarez, driver of the #7 Freeway Insurance Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: William Byron, driver of the #24 HP Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Chase Elliott, driver of the #9 NAPA Auto Parts / CHOA Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Alex Bowman, driver of the #48 Ally Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Chase Briscoe, driver of the #19 Freebird Spring Water Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Denny Hamlin, driver of the #11 Sport Clips Haircuts Toyota, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Shane Van Gisbergen, driver of the #97 SuperFile Chevrolet, waits backstage during pre-race ceremonies prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Crew chief Cliff Daniels (L) and Kyle Larson, driver of the #5 HendrickCars.com Chevrolet, talk on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, laughs on the grid prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Ryan Blaney, driver of the #12 BODYARMOR FLASH I.V. Ford, and Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, lead the field on a pace lap prior to he NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
NASCAR Atlanta race best photos: Ryan Blaney on poll at Quaker State 400
HAMPTON, GEORGIA - JULY 12: Joey Logano, driver of the #22 Hunt Brothers Pizza Ford, leads the field on a pace lap prior to the NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 Available at Walmart at EchoPark Speedway on July 12, 2026 in Hampton, Georgia. (Photo by Sean Gardner/Getty Images) (Sean Gardner, Getty Images)
The race will be considered official after 130 completed laps.
If this race is delayed into July 13, the National Weather Service forecast calls for similar conditions with rain chances hovering between 50-70% from mid-morning through the evening.
Red flag lifted at 11:37 p.m. ET; NASCAR makes it clear they will run full race distance
The red flag has been lifted at 11:37 p.m. ET/10:37 p.m. CT.
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NASCAR reminds teams that they will be running the full distance tonight with the dry track, lights and a clearing radar.
NASCAR officials radio: Drivers to their cars at 11:15 p.m. ET/10:15 p.m. CT
Track drying continues, according to the NASCAR officials radio, with drivers to their cars at 11:15 p.m. ET/10:15 p.m. CT.
NASCAR aiming for 11:45 p.m. ET/10:45 p.m. CT start time
Lightning hold lifted; NASCAR will start track drying
8:10 p.m. Central: The lightning hold has been lifted, so NASCAR will start the track-drying process. That will take at least 90-120 minutes. Rain continues to linger from the west.
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Rain has washed out the track
Heavy rain was falling at Atlanta as of 7:40 p.m. Central, and the track has been completely lost. NASCAR will have to do a full track drying if and when the lightning and rain moves away.