This week, the NASCAR Bristol weekend schedule and races bring the excitement of the playoffs to Bristol Motor Speedway as the ARCA, Truck, Xfinity, and Cup series compete under the lights. From September 11 through 13, three straight nights of racing on the storied 0.533-mile oval track will feature high stakes and notable drivers contending in the postseason.
Four Major Series Headline Bristol’s Three-Night Racing Event
Bristol Motor Speedway is set to host a packed line-up, with the ARCA, Truck, Xfinity, and Cup Series making appearances over three days. The action begins on Thursday with ARCA and Truck Series events, providing about nine hours of continuous racing. The ARCA race starts at 5:30 p.m. ET, and the Truck Series will follow at 8 p.m., which marks the second playoff race in their postseason progression since Corey Heim’s triumph at Darlington. Layne Riggs, last year’s event winner, will be looking to defend his title on the Bristol concrete.
On Friday, fans will see both practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Xfinity and Cup Series. This marks the track’s return for its second annual mid-September event, extending a six-year tradition. Meanwhile, the Xfinity Series will commence its own seven-race playoff series at Bristol, culminating with a 300-lap feature event at 7:30 p.m. Though Cole Custer won last year’s Xfinity race, he is not on the entry list this time following his promotion to the Cup Series.
The busy weekend wraps up on Saturday night with the NASCAR Cup Series concluding its opening round of playoff races. The green flag drops at 7:30 p.m. ET, where Kyle Larson comes in as a strong favorite after winning the last two Cup races at Bristol, having led an impressive 873 out of 1,000 possible laps during those events.
Key Times and Events: A Detailed Look at the Race Schedule
The full racing schedule outlines all critical garage openings, practice times, qualifying sessions, and races, as follows (all times Eastern):
Thursday, September 11
- Garage Opens: 9 a.m. – 11:15 p.m. for ARCA Series
- Garage Opens: 10 a.m. for Truck Series
- 1:00 – 1:45 p.m.: ARCA practice
- 2:00 – 2:20 p.m.: ARCA qualifying
- 3:05 – 4:00 p.m.: Truck Series practice (FS2)
- 4:10 – 5:00 p.m.: Truck Series qualifying (FS2)
- 5:30 p.m.: ARCA race (200 laps, 106.6 miles; FS1)
- 8:00 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series race (250 laps, 133.25 miles, with stages at Lap 65 and Lap 130; FS1, MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Friday, September 12
- Garage Opens: 9 a.m. for Xfinity Series
- Garage Opens: 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. for Cup Series
- 2:00 – 2:55 p.m.: Xfinity practice (CW App)
- 3:05 – 4:00 p.m.: Xfinity qualifying (CW App)
- 4:30 – 5:30 p.m.: Cup Series practice (truTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
- 5:40 – 6:30 p.m.: Cup Series qualifying (truTV, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
- 7:30 p.m.: Xfinity race (300 laps, 159.9 miles, with stages at Lap 85 and Lap 170; CW, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Saturday, September 13
- Garage Opens: 3:30 – 11:45 p.m. for Cup Series
- 7:30 p.m.: Cup Series race (500 laps, 266.5 miles, with stages at Lap 125 and Lap 250; USA, PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio)
Weather Outlook for Bristol Motor Speedway Race Days
Each race day is forecasted to be mostly sunny, creating optimal conditions for both races and fans at Bristol Motor Speedway. On Thursday, temperatures will peak at 78 degrees with light winds and an 11% chance of rain. At the start times for the ARCA and Truck races, expect around 76 degrees and 68 degrees, with negligible chances for showers.
Friday features slightly warmer weather, with a high near 80 degrees, mild winds, and only a 6% chance of rain. The Xfinity race is set to begin with a temperature around 70 degrees and no expected precipitation.
Saturday’s forecast remains consistently favorable, staying sunny with highs at 80 degrees, smooth winds, and just a 7% chance of rain. Cup Series drivers will face similar weather at the race’s onset, with about 70 degrees and little likelihood of rainfall.
What This Weekend Means for Drivers and Fans
This championship-charged weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway is pivotal for playoff contenders, including Corey Heim, Kyle Larson, and Layne Riggs. Their performances could set the pace for the rest of the postseason. Kyle Larson, having led the way in recent Cup races, will look to extend his dominance, while newcomers and defending winners will aim for breakout runs in their respective series. Fans can anticipate clear weather, competitive fields, and significant playoff ramifications as all eyes turn toward Bristol’s action-packed weekend.
