The NASCAR Richmond weekend TV schedule features two nights of racing excitement at Richmond Raceway, with fans able to catch the NASCAR Cup Series and Craftsman Truck Series live under the lights. Richmond Raceway will be buzzing as teams compete on Friday and Saturday evening, with races broadcast across multiple networks.
Night Racing Returns to Richmond Raceway
This weekend marks the only visit NASCAR makes to Richmond Raceway for the current season, bringing all series action under the night sky for a dynamic environment. Both the NASCAR Cup Series and the Craftsman Truck Series will be competing on the famed track, providing fans with an electric atmosphere and a packed two-day schedule. With milder evening temperatures, racegoers can look forward to a more comfortable viewing experience.
The Cup Series will headline the weekend, as teams arrive early Friday morning to prepare for practice, qualifying, and the highly anticipated Cook Out 400. The supporting Craftsman Truck Series serves as the main undercard event, taking the spotlight with both practice and races happening on Friday. Meanwhile, the NASCAR Xfinity Series is off this weekend, giving Connor Zilisch and other drivers a break from their regular competition circuit.
Full NASCAR Richmond Weekend TV Schedule
Fans can tune in to the following scheduled events for live coverage of each session:
1. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice: Friday, 2:05 p.m. ET on FS2
2. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying: Friday, 3:10 p.m. ET on FS2
3. NASCAR Cup Series Practice: Friday, 4:30 p.m. ET on TruTV and HBO Max
4. NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying: Friday, 5:40 p.m. ET on TruTV and HBO Max
5. NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series eero 250: Friday, 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1
6. NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400: Saturday, 7:30 p.m. ET on USA Network
7. ARCA Menards Series Springfield ARCA 100: Sunday, 2 p.m. ET on FS1
On Friday, Craftsman Truck Series teams are scheduled to arrive at 7 a.m. for a full day of activity, with practice opening the afternoon and the eero 250 headlining the night at 7:30 p.m. The NASCAR Cup Series takes over Friday afternoon for practice and qualifying, with live coverage ensuring fans don’t miss out on the on-track drama. Saturday night’s countdown for the Cook Out 400 begins at 7 p.m. on USA Network, leading up to the green flag at around 7:40 p.m.
Beyond Richmond, the ARCA Menards Series holds its first dirt race of the year at the Illinois State Fairgrounds, where teams will begin preparations before sunrise on Sunday. The ARCA Springfield 100 race receives live coverage on FS1 starting at 2 p.m. ET, though practice and qualifying sessions earlier in the day are not televised.
Recent TV Ratings Highlight Viewer Trends
The latest television ratings provide insight into NASCAR’s current audience engagement. Last Sunday’s Go Bowling at the Glen, aired on USA Network, results in a 1.0 rating with an audience of 1.85 million. While not an all-time high, this is a modest increase compared to last year’s race—which drew 1.81 million viewers as a September playoff event.
For the Xfinity Series, Saturday’s Mission 200 at Watkins Glen drew a .6 rating and was viewed by 1.096 million, showing a 40% increase from the comparable race a year earlier. In contrast, the Friday night Mission 176 for the Craftsman Truck Series drew 253,000 viewers on FS1, reflecting a 46.4% drop compared to the previous Watkins Glen Truck race in 2021. Of note, the 2021 Truck race was held jointly with the Xfinity Series on a Saturday afternoon but was shortened because of lightning.
Looking Ahead on the NASCAR Calendar
Viewers and race fans can expect a condensed and action-packed schedule at Richmond, with Cup Series headliners and the Craftsman Truck Series both competing under the lights for maximum excitement. The absence of the Xfinity Series shifts focus entirely onto the Truck and Cup teams, who are ready to capitalize on their primetime slot. Richmond’s historic significance and challenging layout promise thrilling races, and broadcast coverage ensures all the drama is accessible for audiences at home and tracks alike.
The ARCA Menards Series expands this weekend’s action beyond Richmond, visiting the Illinois State Fairgrounds for its first dirt race of the season. As NASCAR and its associated series continue their championship campaigns, fans should closely follow the evolving storylines and shifting momentum heading into the next segment of the racing calendar.
