Fans looking to catch all the high-speed drama can keep track of the full NASCAR Bristol weekend TV schedule as major racing series arrive at Bristol Motor Speedway for a pivotal set of races. This weekend promises stakes and action across multiple series, with television broadcasting options laid out for viewers who want to follow every lap.
Racing Returns to Bristol for a Packed Weekend
Bristol Motor Speedway is set to become the focal point of American stock car racing this weekend, featuring a change in tire compounds that could introduce additional strategy and unpredictability. The new tire in use may experience rapid wear, influencing pit strategies and potentially leading to unexpected challenges for teams, including decisions from suppliers like Goodyear on tire allocations. Meanwhile, significant events elsewhere include the European Le Mans Series at Silverstone and the Intercontinental GT Challenge undertaking 1000 kilometers at Suzuka Circuit. The weekend also features the kickoff for the NHRA’s Countdown to One and various dirt racing contests on tracks such as Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y.
Schedule of Televised NASCAR Events at Bristol
The NASCAR Bristol weekend TV schedule begins early, offering extensive viewing options for dedicated fans. Thursday marks the start with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practices at 3:05 p.m. ET on FS2, followed by qualifying at 4:10 p.m. ET. The ARCA Menards Series and ARCA Menards Series East Bush’s Beans 200 will air at 5:30 p.m. ET on FS1, directly preceding the Truck Series UNOH 200 at 8 p.m. ET, also on FS1.
Friday’s schedule spotlights the NASCAR Xfinity Series: practice at 2 p.m. ET on The CW App, qualifying at 3:05 p.m. ET, also on The CW App, and the Food City 300 main event at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW, with green flag around 7:40 p.m. ET. Select affiliates of The CW may broadcast these sessions live, occasionally pre-empting regular programming, so viewers are advised to verify local listings.
The NASCAR Cup Series headlines the weekend as the playoffs intensify. Friday afternoon brings Cup Series practice at 4:30 p.m. ET and qualifying at 5:40 p.m. ET, both viewable on TruTV or HBO Max. Attention turns to the Bass Pro Shops Night Race on Saturday, with the Countdown to Green pre-race show at 7 p.m. ET on USA Network. The race begins at 7:30 p.m. ET, with the Round of 16’s cutoff heightening the intensity and playoff coverage.
Rounding out Bristol’s racing action, the ARCA Menards Series West NAPA Auto Parts 150 takes place Saturday night, scheduled to air at 10:30 p.m. ET on FLORacing, providing a late-night viewing option for dedicated motorsports followers.
Diverse Racing and Special Sessions
The weekend’s schedule delivers a range of racing disciplines and formats to TV screens. The NASCAR Xfinity Series inaugurates its own playoff round Friday, featuring practice and qualifying in quick succession before the night’s main event. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series takes center stage Thursday, starting with official on-track activity in the afternoon and culminating with the UNOH 200 under the lights. Historically, this race would have been the anchor for an earlier weeknight slot.
ARCA Menards Series teams open Thursday at 1 p.m. ET with a practice session, followed by qualifying—neither televised—before live coverage of the Bush’s Beans 200 at 5:30 p.m. ET on FS1. This race also doubles as the season finale for ARCA Menards Series East, and if unexpected incidents occur, its length may be adjusted so as not to interfere with the Truck race itinerary. The ARCA Menards Series West then shifts to Roseville, California’s All American Speedway on Saturday evening, with an open practice session Friday at 10:30 p.m. ET and race activities, including the NAPA Auto Parts 150, on Saturday from 10:30 p.m. ET, exclusively on FLORacing.
Playoff Implications and Event Highlights
This Bristol weekend is particularly crucial for the NASCAR Cup Series, with the Round of 16 coming to a close and playoff hopes hanging in the balance for multiple drivers and teams. The Cup Series not only serves as the headline act at Bristol Motor Speedway but also brings increased attention due to this cutoff race, which will ultimately decide who advances further into the playoffs.
The Xfinity Series sees its playoff chase commence with a condensed schedule, emphasizing performance under pressure. Meanwhile, Truck and ARCA team members navigate altered schedules and television broadcast arrangements as they compete for victories and, in some cases, series honors. Notably, events like the Food City 300 and Craftsman Truck Series UNOH 200 add further prestige to the weekend by drawing major audiences across different NASCAR disciplines.
Context for Viewers: How TV Coverage Has Changed
NASCAR’s Bristol weekend comes at a time when television audiences are subject to wider sports programming challenges. Ratings for recent events such as the Enjoy Illinois 300 have demonstrated the increased difficulty of competing for viewers, especially during NFL season. That occasion, the broadcast secured a .82 rating with 1.525 million viewers, compared to the previous year’s higher numbers for the Gateway race, which stood at a 1.4 rating and 2.459 million viewers as a key sporting broadcast of the day. Additionally, last season’s Watkins Glen event attracted a significant audience of 1.81 million on USA Network.
For the NASCAR Xfinity Series, the Nu Way 200 Sauced by Blues Hog BBQ earned a .54 rating and brought in 989,000 viewers on The CW, notable as the series had not previously raced at Gateway since 2010, making year-on-year comparisons less relevant. These statistics underline both fluctuating interest and the external factors influencing motorsport ratings.
Significance and What Lies Ahead
The packed NASCAR Bristol weekend TV schedule is set against a multi-layered backdrop of fierce competition, playoff tension, and evolving audience habits. As the Bristol Motor Speedway races unfold—likely influenced by the freshly introduced tire compound—competitors and fans alike can expect pivotal moments that shape championship narratives across the Cup, Xfinity, Truck, and ARCA Menards Series. Alongside main events at Bristol, secondary racing action occurs at venues such as Silverstone, Suzuka Circuit, and Lebanon Valley Speedway, ensuring racing enthusiasts have multiple opportunities to engage via TV and streaming platforms. With outcomes at Bristol determining playoff futures and season finales on the line for some, racing’s intensity takes center stage, promising an impactful weekend for competitors and viewers.
