Two nights under the lights at Richmond Raceway will decide more than just race winners. With both the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series and NASCAR Cup Series in action, fans can expect an important stretch of competition that could shape playoff standings and set storylines for the rest of the season. From rookies making their debuts to veterans chasing critical points, the weekend offers an intriguing mix of high stakes, new faces, and short track unpredictability.
Key Highlights
The eero 250 Truck Series race airs Friday, August 15, at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1.
The Cook Out 400 Cup Series race airs Saturday, August 16, at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network.
Notable Truck entries include Christian Eckes, Caleb Costner, Carson Kvapil, and Corey LaJoie.
Jesse Love, Corey Heim, and an unconfirmed NY Racing entry highlight the Cup Series field.
Both series will have practice and qualifying sessions on Friday.
Friday Night Truck Series Spotlight
Friday belongs to the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, beginning with practice at 2:05 p.m. ET on FS2, followed by qualifying at 3:10 p.m. Thirty-seven trucks are entered for the eero 250, meaning one will miss the race if there are no entry list changes. The race is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET and will be shown live on FS1. Christian Eckes will make his first Truck Series start of the season in McAnally Hilgemann Racing’s No. 16, marking the team’s debut with that truck in 2025. Caleb Costner is set to debut in the series with Mike Harmon Racing’s No. 74 entry.
Carson Kvapil will aim for his first Truck start of 2025 with CR7 Motorsports’ No. 97, while Corey LaJoie will pilot Spire Motorsports’ No. 77. Kaden Honeycutt will run the rest of the year in Halmar Friesen Racing’s No. 52, returning to a team with which he’s found success before. Brent Crews is back in TRICON Garage’s No. 1, adding more youth to the field.
Matt Gould will take the wheel of Niece Motorsports’ No. 41 for its first appearance of the year. Richmond’s three-quarter-mile oval offers a different challenge compared to recent Truck events, with a premium on corner exit speed and tire management.
Saturday Night Cup Series Main Event
The NASCAR Cup Series will set the stage for its Saturday night Cook Out 400 with its only track time on Friday evening. Practice is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET, with qualifying at 5:40 p.m., both airing on truTV. The green flag drops Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network. The 39-car entry list guarantees a full field without the risk of DNQs. Jesse Love will take over Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33 entry, bringing youthful talent to the lineup.
Corey Heim, already making waves in the Truck Series, will step into 23XI Racing’s No. 67 for his Cup debut. NY Racing Team’s No. 44 is currently without a listed driver, adding intrigue to the final lineup. Richmond’s short track configuration often delivers close racing, but with playoff spots dwindling, tempers and aggressive strategies could play an even greater role. The summer night setting, combined with the track’s low-banked turns, typically forces teams to balance tire conservation with bold passing attempts.
Broadcasting and Scheduling Details
Both series will have all on-track activity on Friday, with the Truck Series leading into the Cup Series’ practice and qualifying sessions later in the day. Fans can catch Truck practice and qualifying on FS2, with the eero 250 race on FS1. Cup Series practice and qualifying will air on truTV, while the Cook Out 400 will be shown on USA Network. This split broadcast approach ensures both events receive national coverage, but it also means fans will need to follow multiple networks to see all sessions live.
For the Truck Series, the field size ensures competition will be tight, with a non-qualifier almost certain if the list remains at 37. For the Cup Series, the guaranteed full field sets up a focus purely on performance rather than qualifying drama. The combination of night racing and short track intensity makes Richmond a notable stop on both schedules.
News in Brief: How to Watch the 2025 NASCAR Richmond
Richmond Raceway will host a two-night NASCAR showcase with the Truck Series eero 250 on Friday and the Cup Series Cook Out 400 on Saturday. Christian Eckes, Caleb Costner, Carson Kvapil, and Corey LaJoie headline notable Truck entries, while Jesse Love and Corey Heim highlight Cup Series changes. Thirty-seven trucks are entered, guaranteeing one miss without changes, while 39 Cup cars ensure a full field. Practice and qualifying for both series take place Friday. Watch both events live and follow our full weekend coverage for all results and storylines.
ALSO READ: Richmond Raceway Weekend Schedule: Cup and Truck Series Head to Virginia
