There are 40 cars entered for Sunday’s FireKeepers Casino 400 NASCAR Sprint Cup race at Michigan International Speedway.
2020 Cup, Xfinity and Truck Series schedules
Getty Images
We’re less than a month away from the start of the 2020 NASCAR season.
While the Daytona 500 is scheduled for Feb. 16, the Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series season begins in 25 days at Daytona International Speedway on Feb. 14.
The schedules for all three national series have big changes in 2020.
Here are some of the changes, including:
- Miami moves from the end of the season to March 22 for the Cup Series
- The first Cup race under the lights at Martinsville Speedway (May 9)
- The first weekend doubleheader for Cup, which occurs at Pocono (June 27-28)
- The Brickyard 400 in Indianapolis will be held July 5. On July 4, the Xfinity Series race will be held on IMS’ road course.
- Daytona International Speedway’s summer race shifts to August 29 and will be the final Cup race of the regular season.
- The Xfinity Series returns to Martinsville Speedway for the first time since 2006 on Oct. 31.
- The Truck Series returns to Richmond Raceway for the first time since 2005 on April 18.
- Darlington Raceway hosts the opening race of the Cup playoffs on September 6.
And there’ll be a new site for the championship races for all three series — Phoenix Raceway from Nov. 6-8.
NBC will air Cup races at Indianapolis (July 5), Daytona (Aug. 29), Talladega (Oct. 4), Charlotte Roval (Oct. 11), Kansas (Oct. 18), Martinsville (Nov. 1) and Phoenix (Nov. 8).
Here’s how the schedules for all three series look for 2020:
2020 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule
| Date | Location | Network | Start Time | Radio |
| Sun., Feb. 9 | Daytona 500 Qualifying | FOX | 12:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Feb. 9 | Busch Clash at Daytona | FS1 | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Thurs., Feb. 13 | Gander RV Duel at Daytona | FS1 | 7:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Feb. 16 | Daytona 500 | FOX | 2:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Feb. 23 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Mar. 1 | Auto Club Speedway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Mar. 8 | Phoenix Raceway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Mar. 15 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | FOX | 2:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Mar. 22 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | FOX | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Mar. 29 | Texas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 2:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Apr. 5 | Bristol Motor Speedway | FS1 | 2:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Apr. 19 | Richmond Raceway | FOX | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Apr. 26 | Talladega Superspeedway | FOX | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., May 3 | Dover International Speedway | FS1 | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., May 9 | Martinsville Speedway | FS1 | 8:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., May 16 | All-Star Open | FS1 | 7:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., May 16 | All-Star Race | FS1 | 9:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., May 24 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | FOX | 6:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., May 31 | Kansas Speedway | FS1 | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Jun. 7 | Michigan International Speedway | FS1 | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Jun. 14 | Sonoma Raceway | FS1 | 3:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Jun. 21 | Chicagoland Speedway | NBCSN | 2:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Jun. 27 | Pocono Raceway | NBCSN | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Jun. 28 | Pocono Raceway | NBCSN | 3:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Jul. 5 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | NBC | 3:30 p.m. | IMS/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Jul. 11 | Kentucky Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Jul. 19 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 3:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Aug. 9 | Michigan International Speedway | NBCSN | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Aug. 16 | Watkins Glen International | NBCSN | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Aug. 23 | Dover International Speedway | NBCSN | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Aug. 29 | Daytona International Speedway | NBC | 7:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Sept. 6 | Darlington Raceway | NBCSN | 6:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Sept. 12 | Richmond Raceway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Sept. 19 | Bristol Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Sept. 27 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 7:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Oct. 4 | Talladega Superspeedway | NBC | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Oct. 11 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | NBC | 2:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Oct. 18 | Kansas Speedway | NBC | 2:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Oct. 25 | Texas Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 3:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Nov. 1 | Martinsville Speedway | NBC | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Nov. 8 | Phoenix Raceway | NBC | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
2020 NASCAR Xfinity Series Schedule
| Date | Location | Network | Start Time | Radio |
| Sat., Feb. 15 | Daytona International Speedway | FS1 | 2:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Feb. 22 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 4:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Feb. 29 | Auto Club Speedway | FS1 | 4:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Mar. 7 | Phoenix Raceway | FS1 | 4:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Mar. 14 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | FS1 | 4:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Mar. 21 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | FS1 | 3:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Mar. 28 | Texas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 1:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Apr. 4 | Bristol Motor Speedway | FS1 | 1:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Apr. 25 | Talladega Superspeedway | FS1 | 1:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., May 2 | Dover International Speedway | FS1 | 1:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., May 23 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | FS1 | 1:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., May 30 | Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course | FS1 | 1:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Jun. 6 | Michigan International Speedway | FS1 | 1:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Jun. 13 | Iowa Speedway | FS1 | 8:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Jun. 20 | Chicagoland Speedway | NBCSN | 4:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Jun. 28 | Pocono Raceway | NBCSN | 12:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Jul. 4 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | NBC | 1:30 p.m. | IMS/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Jul. 10 | Kentucky Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Jul. 18 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 3:00 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Aug. 1 | Iowa Speedway | CNBC | 2:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Aug. 8 | Road America | CNBC | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Aug. 15 | Watkins Glen International | NBCSN | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Aug. 22 | Dover International Speedway | NBCSN | 4:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Aug. 28 | Daytona International Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Sept. 5 | Darlington Raceway | NBC | 4:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Sept. 11 | Richmond Raceway | NBCSN | 8:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Sept. 18 | Bristol Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Sept. 26 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Oct. 10 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | NBC | 3:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Oct. 17 | Kansas Speedway | NBC | 3:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Oct. 24 | Texas Motor Speedway | NBC | 3:30 p.m. | PRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Oct. 31 | Martinsville Speedway | NBCSN | 8:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Nov. 7 | Phoenix Raceway | NBCSN | 4:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
–
2020 NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series Schedule
| Date | Location | Network | Start Tim | Radio |
| Fri., Feb. 14 | Daytona International Speedway | FS1 | 7:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Feb. 21 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 9:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Mar. 14 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | FS1 | 1:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Mar. 20 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | FS1 | 8:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Mar. 27 | Texas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 9:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Apr. 18 | Richmond Raceway | FS1 | 7:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., May 1 | Dover International Speedway | FS1 | 5:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., May 15 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | FS1 | 8:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., May 30 | Kansas Speedway | FS1 | 8:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Jun. 5 | Texas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 9:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Jun. 12 | Iowa Speedway | FS1 | 8:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Jun. 19 | Chicagoland Speedway | FS1 | 8:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Jun. 27 | Pocono Raceway | FS1 | 12:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Thurs., Jul. 9 | Kentucky Speedway | FS1 | 7:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Thurs., Jul. 30 | Eldora Speedway | FS1 | 9:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Aug. 8 | Michigan International Speedway | FS1 | 1:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Aug. 21 | World Wide Technology Raceway
at Gateway |
FS1 | 9:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sun., Sept. 6 | Canadian Tire Motorsport Park | FS1 | 2:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Thurs., Sept. 17 | Bristol Motor Speedway | FS1 | 7:30 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Sept. 25 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 9:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Sat., Oct. 3 | Talladega Superspeedway | FS1 | 1:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Oct. 30 | Martinsville Speedway | FS1 | 8:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
| Fri., Nov. 6 | Phoenix Raceway | FS1 | 8:00 p.m. | MRN/SiriusXM |
Kyle Larson scores first Chili Bowl Nationals victory
Photo by Chris Trotman/Getty Images
Kyle Larson passed Christopher Bell with 17 laps left and went on to win his first Chili Bowl Nationals crown Saturday night.
Bell, vying for a record-tying fourth consecutive win in the country’s premier midget race, finished second in the 24-car field at the River Spirit Expo Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma. Cannon McIntosh, 17 years old, finished third. NASCAR Xfinity driver Justin Allgaier placed 21st.
A year ago, Larson lost this race on the last lap to Bell. Larson had a large enough lead late in Saturday night’s race that Bell wasn’t close enough to make a move.
“Its a pretty different range of emotions 365 days later,” Larson said on the MavTV broadcast. “I feel like I’m going to pass out.
“I’m sorry NASCAR, I’m sorry Daytona, but this is the biggest (expletive) race I’ve ever won. I hope to win Daytona in a few weeks but this is bad ass.”
Here’s how other NASCAR competitors did in the various races Saturday that led to the A main that Larson won:
Dillon Welch, Alex Bowman and J.J. Yeley each failed to advance from the B2 Main.
Ricky Stenhouse Jr. failed to advance from the C1 Main.
Ryan Newman failed to advance from the D1 Main.
Chase Briscoe failed to advance from the B1 Main
You can’t even fully dream of moments like this. I thought I might know what it’d feel like to finally win this thing but after what I experienced tonight I had no clue! I’m so blessed to be with great people. Loved… https://t.co/G6kONqvk9e
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) January 19, 2020
Can tell ya this. A year ago I couldn’t sleep cause I was so dejected. This year I can’t sleep cause I’m still effing pumped up!!!!
— Kyle Larson (@KyleLarsonRacin) January 19, 2020
Someone’s ready to keep the momentum rolling into the @nascar season! Thanks to all of our great fans and partners for supporting Kyle, where ever or whatever he’s racing.@CreditOneBank @McDonalds pic.twitter.com/3tidzG5KbT
— CGR NASCAR Teams (@CGRnascar) January 19, 2020
#ChiliBowl2020 A-Feature Rundown. Congratulations Kyle Larson! pic.twitter.com/HwDyQZaTKI
— Chili Bowl Nationals (@cbnationals) January 19, 2020
Huge congrats to @KyleLarsonRacin on finally getting his @cbnationals win. @Paul_Silva57 and Kyle unstoppable since they built own team. @factorykahne #ChiliBowl2020
— Kasey Kahne (@kaseykahne) January 19, 2020
Hell yeah @KyleLarsonRacin!!! Finally got that @cbnationals 🏁 Congrats!!
— Kurt Busch (@KurtBusch) January 19, 2020
Big congratulations to @KyleLarsonRacin #ChiliBowl
— Dale Earnhardt Jr. (@DaleJr) January 19, 2020
Enjoyed the heck out of my first Chili Bowl experience, an amazing event I finally got to see in person. Happy for @KyleLarsonRacin, it’s been a long time coming!! https://t.co/AfXEimUW0f
— Chase Elliott (@chaseelliott) January 19, 2020
Very cool seeing @KyleLarsonRacin finally pick up that win he’s been hunting down for years at the Chili Bowl!!
— Matt DiBenedetto (@mattdracing) January 19, 2020
Congrats to @KyleLarsonRacin Achieving something that is so difficult makes it even more gratifying when it finally happens. Great drive.
— Jeff Burton (@JeffBurton) January 19, 2020
Parker Kligerman will not return to No. 96 Cup car
Photo by Jim Spellman/Getty Images
Parker Kligerman said Friday that he will not drive the No. 96 Cup car for Gaunt Brothers Racing this season.
Kligerman ran 14 races for the team last year, finishing a season-high 15th in the Daytona 500 and also in the fall Talladega playoff race. Kligerman ran four races with the team in 2018, placing a season-best 23rd at Sonoma.
“It was a super cool opportunity,” Kligerman told NBC Sports of driving for Gaunt Brothers Racing. “I didn’t think I was going to get a second shot at Cup. Then I had that opportunity at the Coke 600 (in 2018 with the team) and last year we did way more races than I ever thought we would do and got to be a part of the Toyota family.
“I felt like we really, as race team, improved and improved and improved and got to where our last race at Texas was one of our best races of the year. We were just solid, speed-wise and execution and all that stuff. It was cool to see that and be a part of that. That’s why I did that. I felt like we were building something.
“(Owner Marty Gaunt) has been great to me, super open to the process in the offseason. In my position, being a driver that doesn’t have any personal funding, you always know, especially being a part-time driver, you’re on borrowed time. I’m very happy for them. I wish them all the best.”
Kligerman said he does not have any rides for 2020 in any of NASCAR national series. Kligerman is a NASCAR on NBC broadcaster and co-host of the show “Proving Grounds” on NBCSN.
The team has not announced its plans for the 2020 season. Daniel Suarez, linked to the team, has not announced his plans for this year after losing his ride at Stewart-Haas Racing after last season.
Gaunt Brothers Racing debuted in 2017, running one race with D.J. Kennington. The team ran 22 races the following year between Kligerman, Kennington, Jeffrey Earnhardt and Jesse Little. The team ran 15 races last year with Drew Herring running once along with Kligerman’s 14 starts.
Kaulig Racing announces crew chiefs for full-time Xfinity teams
Kaulig Racing
Kaulig Racing announced Friday the crew chief lineup for its two full-time Xfinity Series teams this year.
Bruce Schlicker, a former race engineer for Stewart-Haas Racing, will lead Ross Chastain and the No. 10 team.
Alex Yontz returns as crew chief on Justin Haley‘s No. 11 Chevrolet. Yontz led Haley’s team in 14 races last year following the death of Nick Harrison in July.
More: Kaulig Racing to attempt to make Daytona 500 with Justin Haley
Schlicker was a race engineer at Richard Childress Racing from 2012-2016 before joining Stewart-Haas Racing.
“I’m excited for the opportunity at Kaulig Racing,” Schlicker said in a press release. “It’s a great team with great resources and even better drivers. We’ve got some great support from Nutrien Ag Solutions, who will be on the No. 10 car for the majority of the races in 2020. I’m looking forward to running a full season in the Xfinity Series with Ross Chastain, winning races and chasing after the championship.”
Yontz served as a crew chief for Kaulig Racing in 24 races in 2019, also working with Austin Dillon, Elliott Sadler, A.J. Allmendinger and Chastain in addition to Haley. He was on the pit box when Chastain earned Kaulig Racing’s first NASCAR victory in the July race at Daytona.
“I’m excited to be back with Justin Haley this season full time,” Yontz said in the press release. “We have a few races under our belts together from the end of last season, and we built a really good relationship. I’m looking forward to winning races with him in 2020.”