NASCAR heads to Watkins Glen International for the 26th race weekend of the 2025 Cup Series season, promising three days of non-stop action. With all three national series in town and full entry lists across the board, fans will witness one of the most competitive race weekends of the year. From returning stars to first-time debuts, and a packed schedule spanning practice, qualifying, and three races, Watkins Glen is set to deliver. Here’s everything to know about how to watch the event.
Key Highlights
NASCAR Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series all on track for a full three-day Watkins Glen weekend.
Forty Cup Series entries guarantee no DNQs for Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen.
Chris Buescher makes his Truck Series debut in Friday’s Mission 176 at The Glen.
Multiple Cup regulars will pull double duty in Trucks and Xfinity, adding star power to the lower series races.
All race times, TV channels, and streaming details confirmed for August 8–10.
Cup Series Schedule and Entry List
The NASCAR Cup Series brings a 40-car field to Watkins Glen, ensuring no driver will miss Sunday’s main event. Open entries include JJ Yeley (No. 44), Josh Bilicki (No. 66), Katherine Legge (No. 78), and Connor Zilisch (No. 87), joining the regular field for the 90-lap race on the historic 2.45-mile road course. On Saturday, August 9, Cup drivers will have practice at 12:05 p.m. ET followed by qualifying at 1:10 p.m. ET, both airing on truTV.
The Go Bowling at The Glen race is set for Sunday, August 10, at 2:00 p.m. ET with live coverage on USA Network. Fans can also access the NASCAR Driver Cam option on Max at the same time for an immersive in-car viewing experience. With a strong mix of road course veterans and rising talents, this field could see another Watkins Glen classic added to its long list of unforgettable finishes.
Xfinity Series Brings Competitive Field
Thirty-eight drivers will take the grid for Saturday’s Mission 200 at The Glen, guaranteeing a full field for the Xfinity race. The entry list features three Cup Series drivers stepping down for the weekend: Shane van Gisbergen (No. 9), Michael McDowell (No. 11), and Riley Herbst (No. 19). Bilicki will also attempt double duty in the DGM Racing No. 91.
Other notable entries include Garrett Smithley, Preston Pardus, and Kaz Grala, with Grala piloting the second Sam Hunt Racing car. Several part-timers, such as Austin Green and Stefan Parsons, return to the series, boosting competition.
Practice is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. ET on the CW App, followed by qualifying at 10:35 a.m. ET. The Mission 200 race starts at 3:00 p.m. ET, live on The CW. Watkins Glen has historically delivered close finishes in Xfinity, and with this mix of talent, another dramatic race could be on the horizon.
Truck Series Adds Debuts and Star Power
The Truck Series kicks off the weekend on Friday, August 8, with 36 drivers entered, marking the first full field since Daytona’s season opener. Four Cup stars will take part, including Kyle Busch (No. 07), Ross Chastain (No. 44), Christopher Bell (No. 52), and Chris Buescher (No. 66) making his first-ever Truck start. Gian Buffomante and Brent Crews will also debut, while Sammy Smith makes his eighth career Truck start with Spire Motorsports.
Connor Zilisch is set for triple-duty across all three series, starting with the Niece Motorsports No. 45 in Trucks. Returning names such as William Lambros, Timmy Hill, Wesley Slimp, and Derek White add more depth to the field. Truck Series practice begins at 11:35 a.m. ET on FS2, followed by qualifying at 12:40 p.m. ET. The Mission 176 race takes the green flag at 5:00 p.m. ET on FS1, promising plenty of storylines as Cup stars clash with Truck regulars on one of NASCAR’s most famous road courses.
A Stacked Weekend of NASCAR Action
Watkins Glen has a history of unforgettable races, from Chris Buescher’s upset win over Shane van Gisbergen in 2024 to legendary finishes involving Marcos Ambrose, Brad Keselowski, and Kyle Busch. This weekend’s schedule offers fans three days of high-stakes competition across all series. Full fields, multiple Cup drivers pulling double duty, and several debuts ensure every session carries meaning.
Whether watching on FS1, USA Network, The CW, or streaming on Max, the action will be accessible throughout the weekend. With track limits, strategy calls, and unpredictable restarts, Watkins Glen is primed to once again deliver a defining moment in the 2025 NASCAR season.
News in Brief: How to Watch 2025 NASCAR at Watkins Glen
Watkins Glen International hosts the 26th race weekend of the 2025 NASCAR season, featuring full fields across Cup, Xfinity, and Truck Series. Practice, qualifying, and races are set for August 8–10, with live coverage on FS1, USA Network, The CW, and Max. Chris Buescher headlines with his Truck Series debut, while multiple Cup stars join lower series races. Forty Cup entries mean all drivers will make Sunday’s Go Bowling at The Glen.
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