This weekend the NASCAR regular-season finale descends on Daytona International Speedway, turning the historic 2.5‑mile superspeedway into a stage for the final push toward the playoffs.
Night‑time showdowns
Qualifying will unfold on Friday, with the O’Reilly Series taking the track at 3:00 PM Eastern, followed by the Cup Series at 5:00 PM. The results will set the starting grids for the night‑time races that follow.
Saturday’s program features two 7:30 PM Eastern events: the Winn‑Dixie 250, a 250‑mile contest divided into three stages of 30, 30 and 40 laps, and the Coke Zero Sugar 400, a 400‑mile marathon split into stages of 35, 60 and 65 laps. Both races will be staged under the lights, adding a unique atmosphere to the action.
The track itself is a 2.5‑mile layout that incorporates a tri‑oval, a long backstretch and 31 turns, demanding a blend of drafting skill and precise cornering. Officials have set a caution speed of 70 mph to manage the high‑speed pack racing that defines Daytona.
Fans can follow the proceedings on a variety of platforms, including the ESPN App, truTV, NBC, HBO Max, and the CW Network, ensuring that the final regular‑season drama reaches viewers wherever they watch.