This Saturday at 7:30 p.m. ET, the NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 will take place at the iconic Daytona International Speedway in Daytona, Florida, airing live on NBC and Peacock. The race marks the final regular-season event and serves as a cutoff battle for the playoffs, where just two remaining spots are available among the top 16 drivers advancing to the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs.
After 14 drivers have already secured their positions, multiple competitors, including Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman, are on the playoff bubble, leaving the outcome uncertain as points and potential race wins could determine the final qualifiers.
Race Weekend Broadcast Details and Coverage
NBC Sports will provide comprehensive live coverage beginning at 7 p.m. ET with pre-race programming titled Countdown to Green, followed by the main event at 7:30 p.m. Veteran commentator Leigh Diffey will lead the broadcast team, joined by 21-time Cup Series race winner Jeff Burton, known as “The Mayor” of NASCAR, and Steve Letarte, who famously won the 2014 Daytona 500 as Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s crew chief.
The pit reporting team includes Marty Snider, Dave Burns, Kim Coon, and Parker Kligerman. Additionally, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Jarrett, a three-time Daytona 500 winner and 1999 Coke Zero Sugar 400 champion, will provide expert analysis from the Peacock Pit Box along with Hyak Motorsports co-owner Brad Daugherty. Jarrett and Daugherty will also join Snider to host the pre- and post-race coverage.
Standings and Drivers Fighting for Playoff Berths
Heading into the race, William Byron leads with 839 points, having won the Daytona 500 earlier this year, while Austin Dillon claimed victory at last weekend’s Richmond race. Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman are currently holding the final two playoff spots, but the standings remain tight enough for several drivers to challenge for entry through points or a win on Saturday.
With the playoffs commencing next week at Darlington, the pressure mounts for these hopeful contenders to secure their postseason dreams during this high-stakes race.
Final NASCAR Season Events and Viewing Information
NBC Sports is the official broadcaster for the NASCAR Championship and Playoffs in 2025, delivering the last 14 races of the season across NBC, USA Network, and Peacock. The season will culminate at Phoenix Raceway with the final Championship event on November 2. Qualifying for the Daytona cutoff will be broadcast live on truTV this Friday starting at 5:05 p.m. ET.
Fans can watch the race on NBC or stream it via Peacock, NBCSports.com, or the NBC Sports app, ensuring widespread access across platforms.
Pro Motocross Season Finale Broadcast from Budds Creek
On the same Saturday, the final Pro Motocross race for the 2025 SMX World Championship and regular season will take place at Budds Creek Motocross Park in Mechanicsville, Maryland. Coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET exclusively on Peacock.
In the 250 Class, Haiden Deegan leads by 43 points over Jo Shimoda, with Garrett Marchbanks in third. Deegan is aiming for a second consecutive championship. Meanwhile, Jett Lawrence recently secured his second 450 Class title despite recovering from ACL surgery earlier this year. His brother, Hunter Lawrence, holds a strong second-place position, creating the possibility for siblings to finish first and second in championship standings—potentially a first in the sport’s history.
NBC Sports announcer Jason Weigandt and seven-time AMA champion and SuperMotocross analyst James Stewart will cover the race, supported by reporters Jason Thomas and Haley Shanley. Race day qualifying will begin earlier that morning at 10 a.m. ET on Peacock, with all Pro Motocross content available on demand post-race for fans.
IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship’s Michelin GT Challenge Approaches
Following the high-speed action at Daytona and Budds Creek, the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship continues Sunday, August 24, at 2 p.m. ET with the Michelin GT Challenge at Virginia International Raceway in Alton, Virginia. This will be the final standard-length event of the IMSA season, broadcasting live on USA Network and Peacock.
The Virginia International Raceway is a challenging 3.27-mile, 17-turn road course, hosting GT Daytona Pro and GT Daytona classes during a 2 hour and 40-minute contest. Corvette Racing by Pratt Miller Motorsports currently leads the championship standings, with their No. 3 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 GT3.R positioned 30 points ahead of the DragonSpeed Ferrari 296 GT3, which has recently gained momentum with three consecutive race wins. Defending champions AO Racing occupy third place in the standings.
Brian Till will handle play-by-play duties, teaming with former IMSA driver Calvin Fish for expert analysis. Pit reporting is provided by Matt Yocum and Chris Wilner. Earlier this week, Till and Fish discussed race expectations on NBC Sports Motorsports’ YouTube channel, highlighting the anticipation for the season’s closing events.
Significance and Future Outlook for All Racing Series
The Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona serves as a pivotal moment in the NASCAR Cup Series season, where the tension is palpable as drivers chase the elusive final playoff berths. With only two spots remaining, this race will significantly impact which drivers move forward in their championship journeys, making it a gripping event for fans and competitors alike.
Simultaneously, the concluding Pro Motocross race at Budds Creek and IMSA’s Michelin GT Challenge at Virginia International Raceway add layers of excitement across motorsports disciplines, rounding out an intense weekend of racing action. These events underscore the competitive nature of motorsports and set the stage for final championship battles, highlighting both emerging talent and seasoned veterans vying for glory as the 2025 seasons approach their climaxes.