NASCAR has announced a third NASCAR Cup race day that starts with qualifying and ends with the main event a few hours later.
On Sunday, August 6, Watkins Glen International will play host to NASCAR Cup qualifying at 12:30 p.m. ET. The 90-lap main event will follow less than three hours later when the green flag falls at 3 p.m. ET.
“NASCAR continues to work closely with tracks to create unique opportunities to interact with the stars of the sport,” said Jim Cassidy, senior Vice President, Racing Operations for NASCAR. “A number of our track partners have certainly embraced the concept, and fans attending those NASCAR race weekends will get to experience the enhanced model.”
Watkins Glen follows Pocono Raceway and Martinsville Speedway to hold qualifying and racing on the same day this season.
MORE: NASCAR Cup Series qualifying for July Pocono race to be held on Sunday
MORE: Martinsville Speedway will have qualifying race on same day in fall
It will still be a three-day racing weekend overall at the 2.45-mile road course, with the NASCAR K&N Pro Series East 100 on Friday, August 4 and the NASCAR Xfinity Series Zippo 200 on Saturday, August 5.
“With races on back-to-back-to-back days, and the addition of Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying on Sunday, our fans will be treated to non-stop excitement on the track from Friday morning through Sunday afternoon,” WGI president Michael Printup said in a media release.
Here’s the tentative weekend schedule:
2017 NASCAR at The Glen weekend event schedule
Friday, August 4
12:01 p.m. to 1:25 p.m. ET – NASCAR K&N Pro Series East Final Practice
1:30 p.m. to 2:25 p.m. ET –Xfinity Series practice
2:35 p.m. to 3:25 p.m. ET – K&N Pro Series East qualifying
3:30 p.m. to 4:25 p.m. ET –Xfinity Series final practice
5 p.m. ET – K&N Pro Series East 100 at The Glen
7 p.m. ET – NASCAR Cup Series on-track hauler parade
Saturday, August 5
10 a.m. – 10:55 a.m. ET – NASCAR Cup Series practice
11:05 a.m. Xfinity Series qualifying
12:30 p.m. – 1:20 p.m. ET – NASCAR Cup final practice
2 p.m. – Xfinity Series Zippo 200 at The Glen
Sunday, August 6
12:35 p.m. ET – NASCAR Cup qualifying
3:00 p.m. ET – NASCAR Cup Series at The Glen race