The NASCAR season shifts north to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for a packed weekend of racing with playoff stakes on the line. Fans will see the NASCAR Cup Series open the Round of 12 and the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series wrap its Round of 10, while the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour adds more action to an already loaded schedule. With full entry lists and notable driver storylines, the event promises intensity and critical championship implications across every division.
Key Highlights
Mobil 1 301 Cup race begins Sunday, Sept. 21 at 2 p.m. ET on USA Network
Team EJP 175 Truck race Saturday, Sept. 20 at noon ET on FOX Sports 1
Mohegan Sun 100 Whelen Modified Tour race Saturday, Sept. 20 at 9:15 a.m.
36 Cup teams entered with no open entries for the first time since Gateway
Truck field features 36 entries with notable debuts and returning drivers
Full Weekend Schedule
The action begins early Saturday when the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour rolls off for the Mohegan Sun 100 at 9:15 a.m. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series follows with the Team EJP 175 at noon on FOX Sports 1.
Sunday brings the weekend’s headline event, the NASCAR Cup Series Mobil 1 301 at 2 p.m. ET, airing live on USA Network. New Hampshire’s one-mile oval will challenge drivers with its flat corners and unique layout, testing setups and strategies as playoff pressure builds.
Cup Series Entry List and Playoff Stakes
Thirty-six teams will compete in the Cup Series Mobil 1 301, ensuring no teams miss the field due to qualifying. This marks the first time since Gateway two weeks ago that no open entries appear on the list.
The race serves as the kickoff for the Round of 12, raising stakes for playoff drivers who must navigate the flat New England track while chasing crucial points. With every team guaranteed a spot, attention focuses on strategy and execution for championship hopefuls.
Truck Series Depth and New Faces
The Truck Series’ Team EJP 175 represents the final race of its Round of 10, adding urgency for drivers looking to advance. Thirty-six trucks are entered, including several notable storylines. Jayson Alexander returns in the No. 02 for Young’s Motorsports, and Mason Massey continues in the team’s part-time No. 20. Stephen Mallozzi joins Reaume Brothers Racing in the No. 2, with Blake Lothian and Tyler Tomassi piloting the Nos. 22 and 33. Lothian’s start marks his first of the season, adding intrigue to the field.
Patrick Emerling makes his third start of 2025 in the No. 7 for Spire Motorsports. Christian Eckes and the No. 16 McAnally-Hilgemann Racing team return to action, while Mike Christopher Jr. debuts in Halmar Friesen Racing’s No. 62. Derek White and MBM Motorsports also return with the No. 69 entry. Carson Kvapil’s planned run in the No. 97 for CR7 Motorsports has been withdrawn, narrowing the field but leaving plenty of talent and storylines for Saturday.
Anticipation from the Garage
Teams across all three series view New Hampshire as a pivotal weekend. Cup Series playoff drivers know the importance of strong finishes as the Round of 12 begins, while Truck Series competitors face elimination pressure.
The Whelen Modified Tour adds another layer of competition for fans to enjoy. The flat one-mile track demands precision, rewarding teams that can handle long runs and strategic pit decisions. The absence of open entries in the Cup race ensures a clean starting grid, sharpening the focus on execution.
News in Brief: NASCAR New Hampshire Weekend Schedule Brings Key Playoff Moments
New Hampshire Motor Speedway hosts a full NASCAR weekend with the Whelen Modified Tour’s Mohegan Sun 100 Saturday at 9:15 a.m., the Truck Series Team EJP 175 Saturday at noon on FOX Sports 1, and the Cup Series Mobil 1 301 Sunday at 2 p.m. ET on USA Network. Thirty-six entries fill both the Cup and Truck fields, with key debuts including Mike Christopher Jr. and notable returns such as Jayson Alexander and Patrick Emerling.
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