Bristol Night Race: NASCAR Weekend Schedule, Start Times & TV Broadcast




This upcoming weekend marks a significant event for racing enthusiasts, as Bristol Motor Speedway hosts a full slate of NASCAR events. The action-packed schedule features races across multiple divisions, including the Cup Series, O'Reilly Series, Craftsman Truck Series, and the ARCA Menard's Series, spanning from Thursday to Saturday. Fans can anticipate intense competition and high-octane thrills as drivers battle it out on the track.
Christopher Bell, last year's victor at the Bristol Night Race, returns to defend his title. Ty Gibbs also enters the weekend with momentum, having secured a recent victory in the Cup Series at Bristol. The championship race is heating up, with Denny Hamlin currently leading the standings, holding a narrow nine-point advantage over Kyle Larson and an eighteen-point lead over Bell, as the series progresses into the third of ten Chase races. Additionally, the weekend will include various celebrations honoring the illustrious career of Kyle Busch, who boasts an impressive record of 22 wins on the concrete half-mile track.
Complete Weekend Racing Schedule at Bristol
The Bristol Motor Speedway is set to ignite with a series of exhilarating races across various NASCAR divisions this weekend. Starting on Thursday, September 17th, the ARCA Menards Series kicks off with practice and qualifying sessions at 1:00 PM EST, followed by the NASCAR Truck Series practice at 3:00 PM EST and qualifying at 4:05 PM EST. The evening concludes with the ARCA Menard's Series race at 5:30 PM EST, featuring 200 laps of intense competition, and the NASCAR Truck Series race at 8:00 PM EST, covering 250 laps, both broadcast on FOX SPORTS 1 and FOX SPORTS 2 respectively. Friday, September 18th, continues the excitement with the NASCAR O'Reilly practice at 2:00 PM EST and qualifying at 3:05 PM EST, accessible via CW APP and ESPN UNLIMITED. NASCAR Cup practice and qualifying sessions are scheduled for 4:30 PM EST and 5:35 PM EST, available on TRUTV and HBO MAX. The day culminates with the NASCAR O'Reilly race at 7:30 PM EST, a 300-lap spectacle on THE CW and ESPN UNLIMITED. The main event, the NASCAR Cup Bristol Night Race, is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th, with a pre-race show at 7:00 PM EST on USA, leading into the 500-lap race at 7:30 PM EST, also on USA.
This detailed schedule ensures that fans have ample opportunities to follow their favorite drivers and teams throughout the weekend. Key highlights include the defending champion Christopher Bell's return and the ongoing championship battle between Denny Hamlin, Kyle Larson, and Bell. The array of practice sessions, qualifying rounds, and races across different series offers a comprehensive view of the diverse talent within NASCAR. The inclusion of an open entry, the No. 66 Ford driven by Josh Bilicki, adds another layer of intrigue to the Cup Series race. With races spanning from the developmental ARCA series to the premier Cup series, the Bristol Night Race weekend promises to be a memorable event for all motorsport enthusiasts.
NASCAR Cup Bristol Night Race Competitors and Broadcast Details
The NASCAR Cup Bristol Night Race on Saturday, September 19th, promises an electrifying evening of high-speed action. With a start time of 7:30 PM EST, the race will consist of 500 laps, strategically divided into three stages: 125 laps, 125 laps, and a final intense stage of 250 laps. Teams will have 11 sets of tires at their disposal to manage strategy throughout the event. For viewers in the United States, the race will be broadcast live on USA, while Canadian fans can tune into TSN. International viewing options are also available for a global audience. For those who prefer audio, live radio coverage will be provided by MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, ensuring that no fan misses a moment of the roaring engines and thrilling overtakes.
A total of 37 entries are confirmed for the NASCAR Cup race at Bristol, showcasing a diverse field of talent and formidable teams. Noteworthy participants include Ross Chastain for Trackhouse Racing, Austin Cindric and Ryan Blaney representing Team Penske, and Austin Dillon from Richard Childress Racing. Hendrick Motorsports will feature Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman. Joe Gibbs Racing fields Christopher Bell, Denny Hamlin, and Ty Gibbs, among others. Front Row Motorsports will have Noah Gragson and Todd Gilliland, while RFK Racing includes Brad Keselowski and Chris Buescher. Spire Motorsports enters with Daniel Suarez, Michael McDowell, and Carson Hocevar. Legacy Motor Club features John Hunter Nemechek and Erik Jones. Other teams like 23XI Racing (Bubba Wallace, Tyler Reddick, Riley Herbst), Haas Factory Team (Cole Custer), Wood Brothers Racing (Josh Berry), and Rick Ware Racing (Cody Ware) round out the competitive roster. A special mention goes to the open entry, the No. 66 Ford driven by Josh Bilicki for Garage 66, adding an element of unpredictability to the race. This comprehensive lineup ensures a fiercely contested race, with each driver vying for victory under the Bristol night lights.