Excitement is building for the ongoing NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs as the competition heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway this Sunday, when drivers will battle for their place in the Round of 8. Motorsport fans will have a packed weekend, with a series of major events across NASCAR, SuperMotocross, and IMSA racing broadcast live on NBC Sports platforms.
New Hampshire Motor Speedway Hosts Critical Playoff Race
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs resume with the Mobil 1 301 at New Hampshire Motor Speedway in Loudon, N.H., starting at 2 p.m. ET on Sunday. Fans can tune in for pre-race coverage at 1:30 p.m. ET on USA Network with the Countdown to Green program. This event marks the first challenge in the three-race Round of 12, providing drivers with a chance to secure their position in the next round. Drivers who finish at the bottom of the standings after the third race in this round—held October 5 in Charlotte—will see their playoff hopes end.
Christopher Bell, last year’s Mobil 1 301 winner, returns looking to repeat his victory, a feat that comes with New Hampshire’s traditional oversized lobster in Victory Lane. The stakes are high, with every position critical for drivers hoping to advance in the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
Key Competitors and Standings After Bristol
Christopher Bell clinched his spot in the Round of 12 with a victory in last week’s intense night race at Bristol Motor Speedway. The field narrows as Alex Bowman, Austin Dillon, NASCAR Cup Series Rookie of the Year Shane van Gisbergen, and Josh Berry were all eliminated from playoff contention. Heading into New Hampshire, Denny Hamlin, William Byron, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, and Ryan Blaney sit atop the standings. Defending champion Joey Logano, meanwhile, enters the weekend below the cut line and faces immense pressure to advance.
The dedicated broadcast team for the NASCAR Cup Series at New Hampshire includes Leigh Diffey on play-by-play, 21-time Cup Series race winner Jeff Burton—who previously achieved four consecutive victories at the track—and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte as analysts. Marty Snider, Kim Coon, and Dillon Welch will provide pit reporting throughout the race, offering fans up-to-the-minute insights. Pre-race coverage on USA Network is hosted by Marty Snider and Steve Letarte, while Leigh Diffey teams with Letarte and Burton for post-race analysis.
Jeff Burton’s historical dominance at the Loudon track, where he won four times between 1997 and 2000 and led all 300 laps in the 2000 Dura Lube 300, adds further intrigue to his role as commentator for this decisive event. Football Night in America analyst and two-time Super Bowl champion Rodney Harrison—famed for his career with the New England Patriots—will introduce the broadcast with a special tease, bringing additional sports celebrity flair to the telecast.
Comprehensive NASCAR Playoffs and Broadcast Coverage
The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are covered closely by NBC Sports, which will televise the final 14 races of the season across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock. The title fight will culminate at the Championship race in Phoenix Raceway on November 2, promising drama until the very last lap. Fans can catch live practice and qualifying coverage for New Hampshire on truTV starting Saturday at 3 p.m. ET. For viewers unable to watch on TV, streaming coverage is offered via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app, ensuring extensive access for every round of the Playoffs.
SuperMotocross World Championship Playoffs Reach Their Finale
While the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs unfold in New Hampshire, motorsports fans can also look forward to the SuperMotocross World Championship Finals this Saturday. The decisive round takes place at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway, with live coverage on USA Network and Peacock at 10 p.m. ET. Hunter Lawrence secured a crucial victory in last week’s 450 Class Round 2 in St. Louis, closing the championship gap to just six points behind his brother, two-time SMX World Champion Jett Lawrence. Six-time AMA champion Eli Tomac remains in contention, trailing by 16 points.
The 250 Class saw Jo Shimoda triumph in St. Louis, with Seth Hammaker and Nate Thrasher completing the podium. Haiden Deegan, who is attempting to defend his SMX World Champion title, endured a difficult race after being knocked down in the opening lap but still managed to finish in 16th place, putting him 10 points behind before the finale.
The SuperMotocross broadcast team features Jason Weigandt as the play-by-play commentator, joined by 15-time AMA champion Ricky Carmichael and seven-time AMA champion James Stewart for expert analysis. Will Christien and Jason Thomas serve as reporters, keeping fans updated from trackside throughout the event. Additional pre-race coverage and qualifying updates begin Saturday at 4:30 p.m. ET on Peacock, followed by a championship pre-race show at 9:30 p.m. ET.
Battle on the Bricks Continues the IMSA Endurance Season
The IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship returns to Indianapolis Motor Speedway this Sunday, September 21, for the TireRack.com Battle on the Bricks. Fans can watch the endurance race live on Peacock from 11:30 a.m. ET, with coverage moving to NBC and Peacock at 3 p.m. ET. This race is the second-to-last round in the IMSA season and features a large, diverse 53-car field competing across Grand Touring Prototype (GTP), Le Mans Prototype 2 (LMP2), GT Daytona Pro (GTD PRO), and GT Daytona (GTD) classes. Defending champions BMW M Team RLL are looking to repeat last year’s success, while Porsche Penske Motorsports aim to stay ahead in the GTP class points standings.
The broadcast team for this marquee event includes Brian Till and Dave Burns calling play-by-play, with analysts Calvin Fish and Townsend Bell providing in-depth race commentary. Matt Yocum, Kevin Lee, and Kristen Beat will work the pits to bring viewers the latest developments as they unfold. For fans preferring digital coverage, Peacock offers flag-to-flag streaming of every race and on-demand replays throughout the season.
How to Tune In: Full Schedule and Viewing Options
Motorsports fans can find plenty to watch across platforms this weekend. The NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs at New Hampshire will air on USA Network, with streaming available via NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app. SuperMotocross World Championship Finals and IMSA’s Battle on the Bricks offer coverage on both USA Network and Peacock, guaranteeing fans won’t miss any action either live or on-demand. For additional race-day excitement, qualifying and practice sessions can be watched on truTV and Peacock, ensuring that every important moment is easily accessible.
What This Means for the Remainder of the Season
This weekend marks a high-stakes turning point for the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, with every point earned at New Hampshire putting drivers closer to the ultimate goal: the championship showdown in Phoenix. Simultaneously, the SuperMotocross and IMSA seasons are entering decisive rounds that will define their respective champions and storylines. Fans can expect an energetic, drama-filled slate of racing that will shape the rest of the motorsports calendar. With experienced broadcast teams and comprehensive coverage, this memorable weekend is poised to deliver milestone moments for drivers like William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney, and defending champion Joey Logano. Whether cheering from home or following the coverage online, viewers will witness pivotal races that will set the stage for the crowning of new champions.
