How to watch the 2025 NASCAR Bristol Night Race weekend on TV

The first round of eliminations is just ahead in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoff fight. After 500 laps of racing at Bristol, 12 drivers will remain in contention for the championship.

Austin Cindric sits on the hot seat, while the following drivers are below the cutline: Austin Dillon (-11pts), Shane van Gisbergen (-15pts), Alex Bowman (-35pts), and Josh Berry (-45pts).

Both Chase Briscoe and Denny Hamlin are locked into the next round after their victories at Darlington and Gateway, respectively. Kyle Larson, who has a comfortable points cushion, enters Bristol as the defending winner of the late-summer night race.

News of the week

This week, NASCAR gave a stern warning after Trackhouse Racing’s playoff contenders drove through the infield grass following the race at Gateway, possibly in attempt to add extra weight.

Additionally, there has been a pit crew swap between the No. 48 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet and the No. 77 Spire Motorsports Chevrolet, effective immediately. 

NASCAR is bringing a softer right-side tire to Bristol, which could increase tire falloff, but there are other factors that leave many unknowns for the weekend ahead.

What is the NASCAR at Bristol weekend schedule?

(Schedule is tentative and subject to change)

Thursday, September 11th

1pm EST — ARCA Menards Series practice — N/A

2pm EST — ARCA Menards Series qualifying – N/A

3:05pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice — FOX SPORTS 2

4:10pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualifying — FOX SPORTS 2

5:30pm EST — ARCA Menards Series race (200 laps) — FOX SPORTS 1

8pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race (250 laps)– FOX SPORTS 1

Friday, September 12th

2pm EST — NASCAR Xfinity Series practice — THE CW APP

3:05pm ST — NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying — THE CW APP

4:30pm — NASCAR Cup Series practice — TRUTV

5:40pm — NASCAR Cup Series qualifying — TRUTV

7:30pm — NASCAR Xfinity Series race (300 laps) — The CW

Saturday, September 13th

7:30pm EST — NASCAR Cup race at Bristol (500 laps) — USA NETWORK

Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet

Photo by: Jared C. Tilton/Getty Images

How can I watch the NASCAR Cup Series at Gateway?

• Date: Saturday, September 13th
• TV start time: 7p.m. ET
• Green flag: 7:35pm EST 
• Laps/Miles: 500 laps / 266.5 miles with 10 sets of tires
• Stages: 125 / 125 / 250 
• TV channel: USA NETWORK | TSN (Canada) | Other international viewing options
• Live stream: In-car cameras on HBO MAX
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Who is racing the Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol Motor Speedway 

There are 39 teams entered for this weekend’s race with three part-time entries. Richard Childress Racing has entered the No. 33 with Austin Hill, 23XI Racing has entered the No. 67 with Corey Heim, and Garage 66 has entered its No. 66 Ford with Chad Finchum as the driver.

^{*Playoff drivers in bold}