A pivotal weekend for the Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series heads to New Hampshire Motor Speedway for its 25th of 26 regular‑season races, a contest that could reshape the playoff picture. With a 50‑point gap separating the 16th‑placed runner from the 17th‑placed competitor, every position earned on the 1.058‑mile oval carries outsized weight in the championship standings.
Shane van Gisbergen currently occupies the 16th spot, while Ryan Preece sits just behind at 17th. Both drivers are acutely aware that a strong finish could narrow the deficit and secure a playoff berth, making the upcoming battle a focal point for teams and fans alike.
Saturday’s schedule kicks off with Cup Series practice at 11:35 a.m., followed by qualifying later that morning. The Truck Series race, broadcast live on FS1, will determine the final postseason field for the truck division, while the O'Reilly Series remains on hiatus for a second consecutive week.
Sunday’s headline event arrives at 3 p.m., bringing the Cup Series back to action on the New Hampshire track. Fans can stream the action through Sling TV, which will carry live coverage of both the qualifying session and the Sunday race.
Beyond the on‑track drama, the weekend also marks a logistical milestone: the Truck Series race will finalize its postseason lineup, setting the stage for the next phase of competition. Meanwhile, the World Center of Racing in Daytona Beach looms as the next superspeedway test, where the points earned in New Hampshire could prove decisive.