The NASCAR Watkins Glen TV schedule is packed with racing action from August 8 to 10, as Watkins Glen International hosts six races, including the headline NASCAR Cup Series event, numerous support races, and historic stock car competitions. Racing fans can expect every moment of the action to be covered live across major sports networks and apps, marking this as one of the season’s most anticipated weekends.
A Full Weekend of Racing at Watkins Glen
This weekend, the 2.45-mile road course in Watkins Glen becomes the center of the motorsports universe, with six separate races slated over three days. The schedule consists of headline events for the NASCAR Cup Series, support races featuring the Xfinity and Craftsman Truck Series, alongside historic competition with HSR races. The host city, Watkins Glen, is primed for a bustling and fast-paced event that draws teams, fans, and broadcasters from across the nation.
Elsewhere, the NTT IndyCar Series will make its annual trek to Portland, but all eyes remain focused on New York where the garages are active with preparation, inspection, and track action beginning as early as Thursday for some divisions. Teams from key series like the NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling, ARCA Menards Series West, and Craftsman Truck Series Mission 176 are all represented, and they arrive aiming to make their mark on the storied track.
Comprehensive TV Schedule: When and Where to Tune In
This year’s NASCAR Watkins Glen TV schedule covers every session, practice, qualifying, and race across the weekend, ensuring fans won’t miss a minute. Below is the full, detailed broadcast schedule:
Friday, August 8:
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice – 11:35 a.m. ET on FS2
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying – 12:40 p.m. ET on FS2
- ARCA Menards Series General Tire 100 at the Glen – 2 p.m. ET on FS2
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Mission 176 at the Glen – 5 p.m. ET on FS1
Saturday, August 9:
- NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice – 9:30 a.m. ET on The CW App (check local listings for affiliates)
- NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying – 10:30 a.m. ET on The CW App
- NASCAR Cup Series Practice – 12:35 p.m. ET on TruTV/HBO Max
- NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying – 1:40 p.m. ET on TruTV/HBO Max
- NASCAR Xfinity Series Mission 200 at the Glen – 3 p.m. ET on The CW
Sunday, August 10:
- NASCAR Cup Series Go Bowling at the Glen – 2 p.m. ET on USA Network (preceded by Countdown to Green at 1:30 p.m. ET)
Coverage is spread across multiple networks, including FS1, FS2, The CW, TruTV, HBO Max, and USA Network, reflecting the scale and complexity of a weekend where viewers can follow their favorite disciplines and teams easily and in real time.
Insights on Practice, Qualifying, and Race Day Logistics
The NASCAR Cup Series, featuring stars like Shane van Gisbergen alongside established contenders, is the flagship event with its garage opening on Friday, though on-track activity only begins Saturday. Cup practice starts at 12:35 p.m. ET, covered by TruTV and HBO Max, followed closely by qualifying. These events are pivotal as teams dial in their setups for Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen race, which officially starts with a green flag expected around 2:10 p.m. ET after the Countdown to Green pre-race show.
The Xfinity Series enhances the schedule as the primary support act. Teams entered the garage Thursday for preparations, but don’t take to the track until Saturday. Their practice kicks off early at 9:30 a.m. ET, quickly followed by qualifying, both accessible via The CW App. The feature race, the Mission 200 at the Glen, gets underway at 3 p.m. ET with coverage beginning half an hour earlier.
The Craftsman Truck Series makes a long-awaited return, headlining Friday’s action. With teams at Watkins Glen since Thursday, the trucks hit the track for practice at 11:35 a.m. ET, with qualifying immediately after. Their feature, the Mission 176 at the Glen, takes place as the concluding event Friday at 5 p.m. ET on FS1.
ARCA Menards Series and Additional Events Round Out the Action
For those interested in the upcoming talent pool, the ARCA Menards Series is a key part of Friday’s lineup, sharing the day with the Trucks. Their practice and qualifying sessions start at 10 a.m. ET but aren’t televised. Still, race fans can watch the General Tire 100 at the Glen at 2 p.m. ET on FS2, with the green flag projected to fly at 2:10 p.m. ET.
Beyond Watkins Glen, the ARCA Menards Series West teams head to Tri-City Raceway in West Richland, Washington, for their Saturday feature, the NAPA AutoCare 150. After an open pre-race test at 10 p.m. ET Friday and practice sessions Saturday (which will not be televised), qualifying occurs at 7:45 p.m. ET, with the race itself starting at 10:45 p.m. ET on FLORacing. The green flag is set for around 11 p.m. ET.
This event highlights the depth of American stock car racing, with participation from organizations like Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y., where local dirt racing continues to thrive, and the field at Tri-City consisting of regulars and touring series like DIRTcar Modifieds.
Viewership Trends and Recent Ratings
As the NASCAR season continues, media networks closely monitor TV ratings for each event. The NASCAR Cup Series Iowa Corn 350, broadcast on USA Network, drew 2.17 million viewers, representing a 19.5% drop year-over-year. Notably, last year’s Iowa race was USA Network’s first Cup broadcast of the season, though it aired on June 15, unlike this year’s August schedule, making direct comparisons complex due to factors such as the Olympic Break.
The CW’s broadcast of the Hy-Vee Perks 250 on Saturday reached 1.008 million viewers, marking a 16% increase from last year’s Iowa event, which also aired in June. These contrasting trends emphasize ongoing interest in racing but also reflect the shifting landscape of sports media consumption and scheduling.
Anticipation and Impact for Race Fans and the NASCAR Community
This weekend at Watkins Glen stands as a cornerstone for fans of NASCAR, motorsports organizations, and TV broadcasters alike. With a meticulously planned schedule, live coverage spanning multiple networks, and significant stakes for the competitors—including Shane van Gisbergen’s ongoing rivalry and the presence of storied teams and venues like Lebanon Valley Speedway—the weekend will influence both the current season standings and broader interest in the sport.
The concentration of events, from the Cup Series’ Go Bowling at the Glen to the ARCA Menards Series West in Washington, showcases both the reach and enduring appeal of American stock car racing. Viewers, whether tuning in from New York, Iowa, or afar, can rely on the detailed NASCAR Watkins Glen TV schedule to catch every dramatic turn, strategic pit stop, and battle for victory, ensuring a memorable weekend for racers and fans alike.
