NASCAR Alters Starting Time for Cup Series Race at Michigan

At the moment, NASCAR is taking a three-week hiatus before the next race at Watkins Glen. This is largely because the 2021 Summer Olympics are ongoing in Tokyo, and the Olympics Games are bigger than NASCAR.

Once the major event concludes, the action will resume for all three series next weekend. On an interesting note, it seems that the following Cup and Xfinity races at Michigan will have their timetables tweaked.

The Xfinity Series race is expected to kick off on Saturday, August 21st. Meanwhile, the Cup Series race is scheduled for Sunday, August 22nd. Furthermore, the race weekend is also accommodating an ARCA Menards Series race.

What is the new NASCAR schedule for the Cup and Xfinity races?

Initially, the New Holland 250 was expected to commence at 3:00 p.m. ET. However, the new schedule has pushed it back by half an hour, though NBC Sports Network is still providing live coverage. On an interesting note, the track authorities have not provided a reason behind the sudden change.

Admittedly, the schedule has not changed for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 Cup Series race. This race is still set to be broadcast live on NBC Sports Network beginning at 3:00 p.m. ET.

There also should not be a timing clash with the Truck Series race at the World Wide Technology Raceway. Of course, the Michigan race is still some way away, so the Cup and Xfinity teams have to focus on Watkins Glen.

The same will also apply for the Camping World Truck Series teams before they head off to Illinois. In the Cup and Xfinity Series, the playoffs are rapidly approaching and the competition is heating up.

Meanwhile, in the Truck Series, the Watkins Glen race is the final race before the Playoffs. The Cup Series has four races before the Playoffs, while the Xfinity Series drivers have 7 races on hand before the playoff madness.

READ MORE: NASCAR 2022 Cup Series Schedule Expected to Drop in Late August