Who would have ever thought NASCAR would run a race in the rain? Not many people, but for Saturday’s Nationwide race in Montreal, Canada that is just what happened.

NASCAR and Goodyear were a step ahead of themselves as they learned of the high possibility of rain for Saturday’s race. The two decided to bring rain tires. These tires had a “tread pattern designed to push water away” and were also made in 1999, a fact that didn’t play a huge role in the race.

Windshield wipers were also mandated for the drivers’ cars, although a few teams opted not to use it — the one wiper per car. Back break lights were also mandated.

At lap 8 of the 74-lap race at Montreal’s famed road course, Circuit Gilles Villeneuve, the rain that was inevitable had made it presence known. The race was red flagged and NASCAR made the decision to carry on with the race, but with the rain tires, the windshield wipers and the lights.

The race began again at lap 14 but the rain was too much for the drivers and the track so at lap 49 (25 laps short of the scheduled 74) NASCAR red flagged the race again. However, this time NASCAR called the race official, since it was past halfway and appearing no relief in sight for the rain. Ron Fellows, driving JR Motorsports No. 5 Chevrolet, was out front, thanks to great pit strategy, when the red flag was called the second and final time, becoming the victor.

Patrick Carpentier (No. 9 Dodge), who was not in Sunday’s Sprint Cup race, finished second — just like last year. He had said earlier in the summer that he wanted to pay all his time and effort to this race as it was his home track. His No. 10 Dodge was driven by Terry Labonte Sunday. Carpentier is from Quebec, originally.

Many of the drivers were skeptical about NASCAR and Goodyear’s decision simply because they had never raced in the rain before or with rain tires. However, those who were used to other forms of auto racing, such as Formula 1 and IndyCar, were not, as racing in the rain is an every week possibility or occurrence for them.

Whether or not they liked it or not, all of them became names in the history books. It was the first time NASCAR had ever attempted to race in the rain with rain tires.

This leads to the question of whether or not NASCAR will have this option for the Cup cars. It isn’t known, but what is known is that NASCAR has said there will be rain tires available for this weekend’s Nationwide race in Watkins Glen, N.Y. There is rain in the forecast for this weekend.

As for the Sprint Cup race, Kyle Busch didn’t win — a good thing, right? He ran out of gas on the last lap and finished 36th.

Carl Edwards, however, finished with just enough gas to win the race — his fourth of the season. He moved to third in the points.

I, as the ever faithful Kasey Kahne fan, was hoping the rain would pour, pour and pour even more to extend the red flag on lap 127 and end the race, since he was in the lead. He got the lead after his crew chief, Kenny Francis, made the call to stay out on the caution for rain.

Unfortunately, Kahne wasn’t that lucky. He did finish seventh again and moved up to seventh in the points, but his team’s “good call” wasn’t as good as he (or I) would have hoped for in order to sweep Pocono.

Oh well, on to Watkins Glen, where I’ll have my hands over my eyes praying for the end of the race.

Don’t miss:
From Watkins Glen and Nashville

• Sprint Cup qualifying, Friday at 3 p.m. on ESPN2
• Toyota Tundra 200 (Craftsman’s truck race), Saturday night at 7 on SPEED
• Zippo 200 (Nationwide race), Saturday night at 2:30 p.m. on ABC
• Centurion Boats @ The Glen (Sprint Cup race), Sunday at 1 p.m. on ESPN