NBCSN presents a pair of pivotal primetime races this weekend from Richmond International Raceway. For Sprint Cup drivers, the heat is on as Richmond marks the final regular-season race to secure a spot in the NASCAR playoffs, which begin on September 20th from Chicagoland Speedway. Friday’s primetime showdown begins at 7:30 p.m. ET with XFINITY Series Racing from Richmond Presented by CarFax. The weekend’s main event unfolds on Saturday with Sprint Cup Racing from Richmond Presented by Smithfield Foods at 7:30 p.m. ET.
NBCSN welcomes a set of fresh faces to the broadcasting booth this weekend when race announcer Leigh Diffey announces the XFINITY action from Richmond. Diffey will be joined in the booth by Hall of Fame driver Dale Jarrett and Sunday’s Southern 500 winner at Darlington, Carl Edwards, during Friday night’s XFINITY race. Three-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series champion crew chief Ray Evernham serves as an analyst for the first Sprint Cup practice before adding to the pre-race coverage Friday and Saturday evening. NASCAR driver and analyst Parker Kligerman contributes trackside, adding to the atmosphere at the D-shaped asphalt track.
NBCSN’s booth team of 21-time Sprint Cup winner Jeff Burton, Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte and announcer Rick Allen will call the Sprint Cup action. Pre and post-race festivities from Richmond are handled by host Krista Voda alongside analysts Kyle Petty and Jarrett. Marty Snider, Mike Massaro, Kelli Stavast and Dave Burns contribute reports from pit road. NBCSports.com lead motorsports writer Nate Ryan and features reporter Rutledge Wood contribute to NBC and NBCSN’s coverage.
NBCSN’s NASCAR coverage from “America’s Premier Short Track” begins Thursday with XFINITY Series practice at 2:30 p.m. ET, followed by NASCAR America at 4 p.m. ET. Thursday’s coverage from Richmond wraps up with XFINITY series final practice at 5 p.m. ET.
Saturday’s coverage kicks off with Sprint Cup Series first practice presented by DraftKings at 10 am. ET and final practice at 1 p.m. ET. XFINITY qualifying from Richmond International Raceway runs at 3:30 p.m ET followed by a special 30-minute edition NASCAR America at 5 p.m. ET. Sprint Cup qualifying takes place at 5:30 p.m. ET. XFINITY Race coverage takes over at 7 p.m. with XFINITY Series Countdown to Green followed by green flag racing from Richmond at 7:30 p.m. on NBCSN.
Saturday evening’s race coverage begins on NBCSN at 5 p.m. ET with a special 2-hour NASCAR America. Coverage from the “Last Race to Make The Chase” begins at 7 p.m. with the Sprint Cup Countdown to Green presented by Sonic. The final regular-season Sprint Cup race begins at 7:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. Immediately following the race, NBCSN hosts a special post-show from Richmond International Speedway’s second annual post-race party.
This weekend’s pre-race features include a closer at the Chase standings and “The Last Chance for Romance” at Richmond International Speedway. With eleven drivers already locked into the postseason by virtue of a win, NBCSN will look at the current standings and what bubble drivers need to do to secure a coveted spot in the top 16. Guest analyst Carl Edwards will voice a special feature about Richmond International Raceway, looking back at his 2013 win at the track. NBCSN NASCAR analyst Burton brings viewers around Richmond’s asphalt track from behind the wheel of NBC Sports’ Toyota Camry On Track Car.
NBC Sports PR
- CHEVROLET INDYCAR AT LONG BEACH: Team Chevy Practice Report - April 19, 2024
- Burt Myers on Pole for Hayes Jewelers 200, Ward Starts Second at Bowman Gray - April 19, 2024
- O’Ward Takes Top Spot in Tight Opening Long Beach Practice - April 19, 2024