Following an exciting conclusion to the regular season at Daytona International Speedway, the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are now underway with 16 drivers competing for the championship. This Sunday, August 31, the NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500, presented by Cook Out, will take place at the historic Darlington Raceway, drawing attention from racing fans nationwide eager to witness one of NASCAR’s marquee events.
For those looking to catch the action live, the race will be broadcast on USA Network at 6 p.m. Eastern Time, continuing the network’s coverage that spans most of the Cup Series season outside of select NBC televised events.
Weekend Racing Schedule and Broadcast Details for Darlington and Portland
Race fans can expect a busy weekend with multiple NASCAR series competing on opposite sides of the country. At Darlington Raceway, the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will kick off its postseason with practice and qualifying sessions on Friday, August 29, and a race on Saturday, August 30. Meanwhile, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will hold its events at Portland International Raceway, providing another exciting chapter in the playoff season.
On Friday at Darlington, the Craftsman Truck Series will hold practice at 3:05 p.m. ET, airing on FS2, followed by qualifying at 4:10 p.m. ET. Saturday is packed with activity starting with Cup Series practice at 9:00 a.m. ET and qualifying at 10:10 a.m., both broadcast on truTV.
The Craftsman Truck Series race, the Sober or Slammer 200, will be held at Darlington at noon Eastern on FS1. Concurrently on the West Coast, the NASCAR Xfinity Series will hold practice at 3:00 p.m. ET on the CW App, followed by qualifying at 4:05 p.m. ET on the same platform. The Xfinity Series Pacific Office Automation 147 race will then air at 7:30 p.m. ET on The CW Network.
For viewers unsure about CW Network availability in their area, local station information can easily be accessed by entering a zip code into The CW’s station guide online.
Detailed Timing for the Weekend’s Events
Friday, August 29
3:05 p.m. ET – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice (Darlington) on FS2
4:10 p.m. ET – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying (Darlington) on FS2
Saturday, August 30
9:00 a.m. ET – NASCAR Cup Series Practice (Darlington) on truTV
10:10 a.m. ET – NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying (Darlington) on truTV
Noon ET – NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Sober or Slammer 200 race at Darlington on FS1
3:00 p.m. ET – NASCAR Xfinity Series Practice (Portland) on The CW App
4:05 p.m. ET – NASCAR Xfinity Series Qualifying (Portland) on The CW App
7:30 p.m. ET – NASCAR Xfinity Series Pacific Office Automation 147 race at Portland on The CW Network
Sunday, August 31
6:00 p.m. ET – NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Southern 500 race at Darlington on USA Network
Significance and What to Expect Next
This weekend marks a crucial juncture in the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, with drivers facing the challenging “Lady in Black” track at Darlington Raceway, known for its unique shape and intense competition history. The Southern 500 remains a deeply respected event, delivering high stakes as the postseason progresses, and performances here can alter the championship outlook.
With multiple series active across two venues and various broadcast partners involved, the weekend offers extensive coverage for fans tracking their favorite drivers and teams. The strategic broadcasting schedule ensures viewers nationwide can follow the race actions, from practice sessions through the checkered flag, highlighting the importance of the NASCAR Cup Series Southern 500 in the overall playoff campaign.
