The Florida heat will mix with the intensity of NASCAR competition this weekend as the Cup Series and Xfinity Series prepare for pivotal races at Daytona International Speedway. With qualifying sessions and two marquee events lined up, drivers and teams are set for one of the most dramatic weekends of the season. The Cup Series faces its regular season finale with playoff implications, while the Xfinity Series fields a crowded entry list with one driver set to miss the show.
Key Highlights
NASCAR returns to Daytona for both Cup and Xfinity races this weekend
The Cup Series will run its final regular-season race before the playoffs
40 cars are entered for the Cup field at Daytona International Speedway
39 cars are entered for the Xfinity race, meaning one will not qualify
Qualifying and race times are scheduled Friday and Saturday evening in prime-time slots
Friday at Daytona: Qualifying and the Wawa 250
Friday, August 22, brings an action-packed day at Daytona International Speedway. Qualifying begins with the Xfinity Series at 3:00 p.m. ET, followed by the Cup Series at 5:05 p.m. ET. Later that evening, the NASCAR Xfinity Series drivers will take the green flag for the Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola at 7:30 p.m. ET, airing live on The CW.
With 39 cars entered, one driver will miss the field, heightening the stakes in qualifying. The Xfinity entry list is filled with storylines, including Natalie Decker making her first Xfinity attempt of the year in the No. 92 for DGM Racing, while Justin Haley brings Cup-level experience to Kaulig Racing’s No. 11.
| Time (ET) | Event | Race |
| 3:00 p.m. | NASCAR Xfinity Series | Qualifying |
| 5:05 p.m. | NASCAR Cup Series | Qualifying |
| 7:30 p.m. | NASCAR Xfinity Series | Wawa 250 Powered By Coca-Cola |
Aric Almirola will be in the No. 19 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing, while Rajah Caruth takes the wheel of the No. 32 Chevrolet for Jordan Anderson Racing. Caesar Bacarella joins with Alpha Prime Racing in the No. 5, and Josh Williams makes his first start of the year in the team’s No. 45. Patrick Emerling returns to SS-Green Light Racing in the No. 07, and Leland Honeyman takes his seat in the No. 70 for Cope Family Racing. Logan Bearden also makes his first start of the season with Mike Harmon Racing’s No. 74.
Saturday Night Spotlight: The Coke Zero Sugar 400
The spotlight shifts to the NASCAR Cup Series on Saturday, August 23, with the Coke Zero Sugar 400 taking center stage at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC. This race serves as the regular season finale, locking in the playoff field for the upcoming 10-race championship battle. The Cup entry list features a full 40-car grid, including some notable names and returns. Austin Hill will drive Richard Childress Racing’s No. 33, marking his third start of the season.
| Time (ET) | Event | Race |
| 7:30 p.m. | NASCAR Cup Series | Coke Zero Sugar 400 |
Joey Gase will be behind the wheel of NY Racing Team’s No. 44, while Casey Mears inches closer to 500 Cup starts, piloting the No. 66 for Garage 66. BJ McLeod is also back, fielding his own No. 78 car for Live Fast Motorsports. With playoff positions at stake, Daytona’s reputation for unpredictability ensures a dramatic night under the lights.
Entry Lists Shape the Storylines
Daytona weekends always bring a mix of full-time drivers, veterans, and fresh opportunities for part-time competitors. For the Cup Series, the confirmed 40-car lineup guarantees a packed field with no one going home after qualifying. For the Xfinity Series, the 39-car entry list means heartbreak for one team on Friday evening.
Fans will be keeping an eye on Natalie Decker’s return, Aric Almirola’s run with Joe Gibbs Racing, and the mix of young talent such as Rajah Caruth balancing their Truck Series off-week with Xfinity opportunities. The blend of returning names and established stars makes both events critical as the NASCAR season progresses deeper into the calendar.
News in Brief: 2025 NASCAR Weekend Schedule Daytona Summer Race
NASCAR returns to Daytona International Speedway with a doubleheader weekend featuring the Cup Series and Xfinity Series. Friday brings qualifying sessions and the Xfinity Wawa 250 at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, with 39 cars entered and one set to miss the race. Saturday night hosts the Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBC, serving as the final regular-season event before the playoffs. Expect drama, high stakes, and thrilling action under the lights.
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