By Caleb Whisler, Staff Writer
On Monday, NASCAR officially announced the starting times for the 2018 season in the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series.
“Feedback from our fans, along with insight from teams, tracks and our broadcast partners was key to identifying the most ideal start time for each race,” said Steve Herbst, senior vice president, broadcasting and production at NASCAR. “Every race weekend is unique, so considering fan and industry input alongside each event’s nuances allows us to balance interests on all sides.”
There are no more 1 p.m. start times on the schedule. However, all East Coast races will start at 2:30 p.m. ET or earlier. Races on the West Coast will begin between 2:30 p.m. ET to 3:30 p.m. ET. The Coca-Cola 600, Southern 500 will start at 6:00 p.m. ET. All other night races on the 2018 schedule will range from a start time of 6:30 p.m. ET to 8:00 p.m. ET.
There will be 10 races on FOX and six races on Fox Sports 1 for the opening half of the season. NBC will have seven races on NBC and 13 races on NBCSN.
Here is the full list of start times for the 2018 Cup season:
Date | Location | Network | Race Start | Radio |
2/11 | Daytona 500 Qualifying at Daytona International Speedway | FOX | 12 p.m. ET | MRN |
2/11 | The Clash at Daytona International Speedway | FS1 | 3 p.m. ET | MRN |
2/15 | The Duel at Daytona International Speedway | FS1 | 7 p.m. ET | MRN |
2/18 | DAYTONA 500 at Daytona International Speedway | FOX | 2:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
2/25 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | FOX | 2 p.m. ET | PRN |
3/4 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. ET | PRN |
3/11 | Phoenix Raceway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
3/18 | Auto Club Speedway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
3/25 | Martinsville Speedway | FS1 | 2 p.m. ET | MRN |
4/8 | Texas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 2 p.m. ET | PRN |
4/15 | Bristol Motor Speedway | FOX | 2 p.m. ET | PRN |
4/21 | Richmond International Raceway | FOX | 6:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
4/29 | Talladega Superspeedway | FOX | 2 p.m. ET | MRN |
5/6 | Dover International Speedway | FS1 | 2 p.m. ET | MRN |
5/12 | Kansas Speedway | FS1 | 8 p.m. ET | MRN |
5/19 | Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Open at Charlotte Motor Speedway | FS1 | 6 p.m. ET | MRN |
5/19 | Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series All-Star Race at Charlotte Motor Speedway | FS1 | 8 p.m. ET | MRN |
5/27 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | FOX | 6 p.m. ET | PRN |
6/3 | Pocono Raceway | FS1 | 2 p.m. ET | MRN |
6/10 | Michigan International Speedway | FOX | 2 p.m. ET | MRN |
6/24 | Sonoma Raceway | FS1 | 3 p.m. ET | PRN |
7/1 | Chicagoland Speedway | NBCSN | 2:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
7/7 | Daytona International Speedway | NBC | 7 p.m. ET | PRN |
7/14 | Kentucky Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. ET | PRN |
7/22 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 2 p.m. ET | PRN |
7/29 | Pocono Raceway | NBCSN | 2:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
8/5 | Watkins Glen International | NBC | 2:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
8/12 | Michigan International Speedway | NBCSN | 2:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
8/18 | Bristol Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. ET | PRN |
9/2 | Darlington Raceway | NBCSN | 6 p.m. ET | MRN |
9/9 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 2 p.m. ET | IMS |
9/16 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 3 p.m. ET | PRN |
9/22 | Richmond International Raceway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
9/30 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | NBC | 2 p.m. ET | PRN |
10/7 | Dover International Speedway | NBCSN | 2 p.m. ET | MRN |
10/14 | Talladega Superspeedway | NBC | 2 p.m. ET | MRN |
10/21 | Kansas Speedway | NBC | 2 p.m. ET | MRN |
10/28 | Martinsville Speedway | NBCSN | 2:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
11/4 | Texas Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 3 p.m. ET | PRN |
11/11 | Phoenix Raceway | NBC | 2:30 p.m. ET | MRN |
11/18 | Homestead Miami Speedway | NBC | 2:30 p.m. ET | MRN |