We’re starting to get into the stretch run of the regular season. There are only three races remaining before The Chase starts in the NASCAR Cup Series. Truck teams have only two races to go.
In addition to NASCAR action, the NTT IndyCar Series will be racing in Markham, Ontario for the first time. That is, if they get the track done on time.
NASCAR Richmond TV Schedule
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice: 1 p.m. ET Friday on FS2
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Qualifying: 2:05 p.m. ET Friday on FS2
- NASCAR Cup Series Practice: 3:30 p.m. ET Friday on TruTV/HBO Max
- NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying: 4:40 p.m. ET Friday on TruTV/HBO Max
- NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Black’s Tire 250: Noon ET Saturday on FS2
- NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out 400 (Richmond): 7 p.m. ET Saturday on USA Network
This weekend, NASCAR makes its one and only visit of the year to Richmond Raceway, the sole three-quarters of a mile oval on the schedule. Teams will have to deal with substantial tire wear on the racing surface, which is roughly 20 years old now.
It is a rare two-day weekend as all of the on-track activity is Friday and Saturday. NASCAR Cup Series teams will have a 50-minute practice session starting at 3:30 p.m. ET, with live coverage on TruTV and HBO Max. Qualifying will be at 4:40 p.m. ET.
Coverage of the Cook Out 400 will begin with USA Sports Pre-Race at 6:30 p.m. ET Saturday evening on USA Network. Race coverage will start at 7 p.m. ET with the green flag at 7:10 p.m. ET.
Following post-race coverage, USA Network will also air Episode No. 2 of NASCAR Americana, entitled Family Bonds. Episode No. 1, “Rebel Roots,” has already been posted to YouTube.
The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series will serve as the support series to Cup in a very long one-day show. Teams are scheduled to load into the track at 6 a.m. ET.
Practice is scheduled for 1 p.m. ET Friday afternoon with live coverage on FS2. Qualifying will be at 2:05 p.m. ET.
Coverage of the Black’s Tire 250 will begin at 7:30 p.m. ET on FS1. The green flag should fall around 7:45 p.m.
UPDATE: The Black’s Tire 250 was postponed to Saturday due to a combination of rain, lightning, and a generator fire in the TV Compound. Coverage will air live on FS2 at Noon ET.
What’s the Weather Looking Like?
It’s going to be a bit steamy in Richmond. Then again, it’s August. I suppose that’s more or less normal for this time of year.
Friday’s forecast is definitely the more questionable. It will be cloudy for much of the day with a high around 86°. However, there is a 60% threat of scattered showers and thunderstorms, and this could be multiple rounds.
AccuWeather indicates that there could be a round of storms that come through right around the time that practice is scheduled to start for Truck teams, then another round very close to race time.
Obviously, Richmond Raceway has lights. However, the area has traditionally had a curfew as well. If it rains for a long time (and/or has a significant lighting delay), it could get pushed to Saturday morning. If the race goes off as planned, it’ll be in the 70s by the time it ends.
Saturday’s forecast is more favorable. It’ll be around 86° for a high with partly cloudy skies. There is a threat of thunderstorms in the afternoon, but it would likely be gone and the track dry before the scheduled race time. The temperature will drop through the 70s during the race.
TV Ratings Check — Iowa
Sunday’s Iowa Corn 350 earned a 1.1 rating with 1.929 million viewers on USA Network. This is down 11.2% in viewership from last year’s audience of 2.17 million and down more than 25% from 2024.
Saturday’s NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Hy-Vee Perks 250 had 1.017 million viewers on The CW. This was up very slightly from last year’s race, which had 1.008 million viewers.
Phil Allaway has three primary roles at Frontstretch. He's the manager of the Frontstretch email newsletter that publishes Monday-Friday and occasionally on weekends. He keeps TV broadcasters honest with weekly editions of Couch Potato Tuesday and serves as the Frontstretch Sports Car racing editor.
Outside of Frontstretch, Phil is the press officer for Lebanon Valley Speedway in West Lebanon, N.Y. He covers all the action on the high-banked dirt track from regular DIRTcar Modified racing to occasional visits from touring series such as the Super DIRTcar Series.