This weekend, the NASCAR Cup Series and Xfinity Series travel to Daytona International Speedway.
Sunday’s Coke Zero Sugar 400 will feature the Cup Series regular-season finale and establish the 16 contenders for the Playoffs which begin at Darlington Raceway on Sept.4.
With 15 different winners this year, there would normally be only one open slot. However, Kurt Busch, who won at Kansas Speedway in May, is still recovering after an injury at Pocono Raceway with concussion symptoms and will be unable to compete in the Playoffs.
In a statement released by 23XI Racing, it was announced that they had withdrawn his medical waiver.
Busch said, “I respect the sport of NASCAR, my fellow drivers and the fans too much to take up a playoff spot if I know I can’t compete for a championship.”
This decision means there are now two open spots available in the Cup Series Playoffs. With this new development, the competition at Daytona will be even more intense. Currently, Ryan Blaney and Martin Truex Jr. are 15th and 16th in the standings.
There are four races to go in the Xfinity Series regular season before the Playoffs begin at Texas Motor Speedway on Sept. 24. Seven different drivers have won this year led by Ty Gibbs with five wins.
The Camping World Truck Series is off but returns to action for the final race of Round 10 in the Playoffs at Kansas Speedway on Sept. 9 where two drivers will be eliminated.
All times are Eastern.
Friday, August 26
3:05 p.m.: Xfinity Qualifying (Impound, Single Vehicle/1 Lap/2 Rounds) USA – Canceled due to weather
5:05 p.m.: Cup Series Qualifying (Impound, Single Vehicle/1 Lap/2 Rounds) USA/MRN – Canceled due to weather
7 p.m.: Xfinity Series – Driver Intros – Delayed due to weather – Drivers to Pit Road at 10:30 p.m.
7:30 p.m.: Xfinity Series Wawa 250 powered by Coca-Cola
Stages 30/60/100 Laps = 250 Miles
USA/MRN/SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
Saturday, August 27
6:55 p.m.: Cup Series Driver Intros (Stage)
7 p.m.: Cup Series Coke Zero Sugar 400 – Postponed to Sunday at 10 a.m. ET on CNBC, Peacock, NBC Sports App, MRN and SiriusXM.
Stages 35/95/160 Laps = 400 Miles)
NBC/Peacock/MRN/ SiriusXM NASCAR Radio
