The NASCAR Cup Series regular season reaches its finale this weekend under the bright lights of Daytona International Speedway. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 on Saturday night will determine the playoff field, and as always at Daytona, the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing looms large. Drivers will need speed, strategy, and a little luck to secure a spot in the postseason, and fans nationwide will be glued to screens as the final laps decide who advances and who falls short in the closing moments of the season.
Key Highlights
Coke Zero Sugar 400 closes the NASCAR Cup Series regular season Saturday night at Daytona.
Race coverage will air on NBC and simulcast on Peacock.
NASCAR Cup Series qualifying takes place Friday on truTV.
Xfinity Series Wawa 250 will run Friday night on The CW Network.
Daytona marks the first of four NBC Cup Series broadcasts in 2025.
Coke Zero Sugar 400 Broadcast Details
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 stands as one of the most pivotal races of the year, serving as the regular season finale for the NASCAR Cup Series. This event will mark the first of four 2025 Cup Series broadcasts on NBC, with the remaining three playoff races also scheduled for the network later in the season. Coverage begins at 7:30 p.m. ET Saturday, August 23, and the broadcast will be simulcast on Peacock for streaming audiences. NBC’s multi-platform approach ensures fans can follow the race whether they are at home or on the go.
Qualifying and Weekend Schedule
The weekend kicks off Friday with qualifying sessions for both the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the Cup Series. Xfinity Series qualifying is set for 3 p.m. ET and streams on the CW App, followed by Cup Series qualifying at 5:05 p.m. ET on truTV. Later Friday night, the NASCAR Xfinity Series Wawa 250 Powered by Coca-Cola begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW Network. Fans can check local listings via the CW station guide to confirm availability in their area.
NASCAR
Daytona
ETFri
3-CW App-Xfin qual
5:05-TruTV-Cup qual
7-CW-Prerace
7:30-CW-Xfin race 30-30-40
NWS: 80s day, 70s night, 70% rain day, 50% nightSat
7-NBC-Prerace
7:30-NBC-Cup race 35-60-65
NWS: 80s day, 70s night, 70% rain day, 30% night— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) August 19, 2025
With the playoff cutline in play, Friday’s qualifying sessions carry added importance. While starting positions may not ultimately dictate the outcome at Daytona, a strong qualifying run can influence strategy and momentum for drivers on the playoff bubble. The Xfinity Series Wawa 250 also sets the stage for the unpredictable nature of superspeedway racing, often providing early indicators of what fans might expect in the Cup Series finale.
Weather Forecast at Daytona
Weather could play a key role in the weekend’s events. Friday is expected to see daytime highs in the 80s with nighttime lows in the 70s. Rain is likely, with a 70% chance during the day and a 50% chance overnight.
Saturday follows a similar pattern with highs in the 80s, lows in the 70s, and a 70% chance of rain during the day, tapering to 30% at night. Teams will need to plan for potential delays or track conditions affected by weather, which could influence strategy and pit decisions in both Xfinity and Cup Series events.
NASCAR Sends a Strong Message
Daytona has long been the venue where the unexpected can occur, and the 2025 Coke Zero Sugar 400 promises to be no different. With the regular season ending and the playoff field nearly set, every lap will matter. Teams will bring their best setups, while drivers will need to balance aggression and caution in equal measure. This weekend’s racing will test preparation, patience, and the ability to capitalize on fleeting opportunities. Superspeedway racing has a way of separating the prepared from the fortunate, and NASCAR’s regular-season finale delivers that tension perfectly.
News in Brief: Daytona’s Regular Season Finale Weather Prediction
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 closes the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series regular season Saturday night at Daytona, with NBC and Peacock providing coverage at 7:30 p.m. ET. Qualifying for the Xfinity Series and Cup Series takes place Friday, followed by the Xfinity Series Wawa 250 at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW. Daytime highs will reach the 80s with potential rain affecting both Friday and Saturday. Drivers on the playoff bubble face high stakes, while superspeedway unpredictability could create dramatic outcomes.
ALSO READ: Coke Zero Sugar 400: How to Watch NASCAR’s Regular Season Finale at Daytona
