NASCAR returns to Watkins Glen International this weekend for an unprecedented May date with Cup Series, O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, and Craftsman Truck Series to the historic 2.454-mile track in upstate New York.
This marks the first road course race for the Cup Series since COTA in March, presenting a critical test of road-course speed for teams hoping to build early playoff momentum. It also means road course bullies Shane van Gisbergen and Connor Zilisch dominate the early odds.
The shift to a spring date brings an entirely new set of challenges. Typically run in August, teams must now contend with considerably cooler track temperatures which will drastically alter setups and tire wear. Additionally, the threat of unpredictable spring precipitation looms over the weekend, opening the door for rain specialists to capitalize if the track gets wet.
Strategy will be a major focal point on Sunday, largely because NASCAR has extended the Go Bowling At The Glen race by 10 laps, bringing the total distance to 100 laps. This adjustment places new strain on pit stop calculators, forcing crew chiefs to re-evaluate their fuel windows and pit cycles over the longer run.
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Friday May 8: Truck Series center stage
The weekend kicks off with the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series taking to the track for practice and qualifying late Friday morning. Later in the afternoon, the trucks will battle it out in the 176-mile feature.
| Time (ET) | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 11:00 a.m. | NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series Practice & Qualifying | FS2 |
| 4:30 p.m. | NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series: Bully Hill Vineyards 176 at the Glen | FS1 / MRN / SiriusXM |
Saturday May 9: O'Reilly Series and Cup Series Qualifying
The O'Reilly Auto Parts Series and Cup Series Qualifying are the star attractions on a bumper Saturday schedule.
Teams will practice and qualify in the morning via the CW App before the main event, the Mission 200 at The Glen, goes green on the CW Network.
Meanwhile, the premier NASCAR Cup Series condenses its practice and qualifying sessions into the afternoon, exclusively streaming on Prime Video.
| Time (ET) | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 10:30 a.m. | NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series Practice & Qualifying | CW App |
| 1:00 p.m. | NASCAR Cup Series Practice | Prime Video / MRN / SiriusXM |
| 2:10 p.m. | NASCAR Cup Series Qualifying | Prime Video / MRN / SiriusXM |
| 4:00 p.m. | NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series: Mission 200 at The Glen | CW / MRN / SiriusXM |
Sunday May 10: Cup Series main event
The weekend culminates with the 100-lap Go Bowling at The Glen main event, airing live on FS1.
| Time (ET) | Event | Network |
|---|---|---|
| 3:00 p.m. | NASCAR Cup Series: Go Bowling at The Glen | FS1 / MRN / SiriusXM |
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