The NASCAR Cup Series playoff field is smaller this weekend.
MORE: Follow the NASCAR playoffs race from Texas live with The Sporting News
Last week's race at Bristol completed the Round of 16. Although a third consecutive non-playoff driver took the checkered flag (shoutout to Chris Buescher), the race was defined by what went down during Stages 1 and 2.
Team Penske's Ryan Blaney looked in dire straits early as his right front tire went flat. It went from bad to worse for him: his team proceeded to lose a wheel on pit road — a mistake that resulted in four-race suspensions for three crew members, including crew chief Jonathan Hassler. Team Penske appealed the bans Friday, and so the crew members will work Sunday's race.
Blaney wasn't the only driver to suffer setbacks last weekend. Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon were knocked out of playoff contention with car failures.
Blaney easily could have been the third driver to suffer that fate. His car had to go to the garage for repairs and he re-entered the track on Lap 266, just past midway in the race.
But Blaney did just enough to capture 30th place in the race — and a spot in the Round of 12.
“Just lucky to get in, I guess,” Blaney said post-race.
The struggles of Blaney, Busch, Dillon and other drivers point to the challenges NASCAR's postseason pose. A driver can go from competing for a championship to being sent home packing.
It's what makes the Round of 12 opener, the AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas Motor Speedway, such a compelling prospect.
MORE: Watch NASCAR Cup Series races live with fuboTV (free trial)
Here's everything you need to know about Sunday'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
The AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500 will be broadcast on USA Network in the United States. Canadian viewers can follow the action on TSN5.
USA's broadcast will feature Rick Allen as the lap-by-lap announcer. He'll be joined by former Cup Series veteran Jeff Burton, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and former Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte.
Cord-cutters can stream Sunday'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: AutoTrader EchoPark Automotive 500
- Date: Sunday, Sept. 25
- Start time: 3:30 p.m. ET
Sunday's race is listed to start at 3:30 p.m. ET, but the green flag is scheduled for 3:49 p.m. ET.
NASCAR schedule 2022: Playoff races
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Race | Track | Time (ET) | TV channel | Radio |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
Viewers in Canada can watch on TSN.
