Expect the unexpected at the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs.
Through the first two races of the postseason, only Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell has secured a place in the Round of 12. However, Bell qualified by way of points, rather than by capturing a checkered flag.
This year’s Cup Series playoffs have been dominated by non-playoff drivers: Erik Jones won at Darlington. Bubba Wallace snatched victory at Kansas. And numerous drivers who seemed all but assured of moving on to the next round with good runs — guys like Kyle Busch, Kevin Harvick and Tyler Reddick — could be on the chopping block.
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race at Bristol is the last chance for playoff drivers to earn a spot in the next round of the playoffs. With the way the first two playoff races have gone, that will be no easy feat.
One way or another, the field of 16 playoff drivers will drop to 12 by the end of Saturday. That’s plenty to race for, and plenty to lose.
Time to put the pedal to the metal.
MORE: Watch NASCAR Cup Series races live with fuboTV (free trial)
Here’s everything you need to know about Saturday’s race, including broadcast information and start time.
What channel is NASCAR on today?
- TV channel: USA (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
- Live stream: Peacock, fuboTV
- Radio: PRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Saturday’s race will be broadcast on USA Network in the United States. Canadian viewers can follow the action from Bristol Motor Speedway on TSN5.
Rick Allen will be on the call on USA Network, detailing all the lap-by-lap action as it goes down. He’ll be joined by former Cup Series veterans Jeff Burton and Dale Earnhardt Jr., as well as Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte.
Cord-cutters can find Saturday’s race on Peacock or fuboTV, which offers a free trial.
MORE: Who are the 16 drivers who will compete for the NASCAR Cup in 2022?
What time does the NASCAR race start today?
- Race: Bass Pro Shops Night Race
- Date: Saturday, Sept. 17
- Start time: 7:30 p.m. ET
The Bass Pro Shops Night Race is listed to start at 7:30 p.m. ET, although the green flag is scheduled to be waved at 7:47 p.m. ET.
NASCAR schedule 2022: Playoff races
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Race | Track | Time (ET) | TV channel | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sept. 17 | Bass Pro Shops Night Race | Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 p.m. | USA | PRN |
| Sept. 25 | AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 | Texas Motor Speedway | 3:30 p.m. | USA | PRN |
| Oct. 2 | YellaWood 500 | Talladega Superspeedway | 2 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
| Oct. 9 | Bank of America ROVAL 400 | Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL | 2 p.m. | NBC | PRN |
| Oct. 16 | South Point 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 2:30 p.m. | NBC | PRN |
| Oct. 23 | Dixie Vodka 400 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | 2:30 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
| Oct. 30 | Xfinity 500 | Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
| Nov. 6 | NASCAR Cup Series Championship | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
In Canada, fans can watch all NASCAR races on TSN.