NASCAR Announces Start Times for 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series

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NASCAR Announces Start Times for 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series  

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (Nov. 6, 2017) – Together with FOX, NBC, race teams and tracks, NASCAR today unveiled 2018 race start times and network coverage for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series™, including the DAYTONA 500® on FOX and the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Championship on NBC.

As noted in the previously released schedule dates, key changes include the return of the DAYTONA 500 to President’s Day weekend for the historic 60th running of The Great American Race®. Additionally, the 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs will begin at Las Vegas Motor Speedway® and include the Charlotte Motor Speedway® road course as part of the first round.

“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.”

The 2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season officially returns on February 18 with the DAYTONA 500. Tune-in at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX, MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, channel 90, or visit NASCAR.com/tickets to catch all the action in-person.

2018 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Schedule

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

 

Greg Engle
About Greg Engle 7421 Articles
Greg is a published award winning sportswriter who spent 23 years combined active and active reserve military service, much of that in and around the Special Operations community. Greg is the author of "The Nuts and Bolts of NASCAR: The Definitive Viewers' Guide to Big-Time Stock Car Auto Racing" and has been published in major publications across the country including the Los Angeles Times, the Cleveland Plain Dealer and the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. He was also a contributor to Chicken Soup for the NASCAR Soul, published in 2010, and the Christmas edition in 2016. He wrote as the NASCAR, Formula 1, Auto Reviews and National Veterans Affairs Examiner for Examiner.com and has appeared on Fox News. He holds a BS degree in communications, a Masters degree in psychology and is currently a PhD candidate majoring in psychology. He is currently the weekend Motorsports Editor for Autoweek.