The NASCAR Cup Series enjoyed another exciting race last night in the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway, the regular-season finale.
The drivers will now enjoy a Sunday off as they gear up for the Cup Series playoffs, which start next weekend with the Cook Out Southern 500. It's one of the most exciting times of the year for race fans.
Consisting of 10 races divided into four rounds, the playoffs start with 16 drivers and eliminate a group every three races. The final four drivers still standing in the final week will compete for the championship at Phoenix Raceway.
First things first: Let's get you primed for the first week of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs. Here's everything you need to know about the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway.
Is there a NASCAR race today?
There is no NASCAR race scheduled for Sunday, Aug. 24. The Coke Zero Sugar 400 took place at Daytona last night, and the drivers have today off.
The Cook Out Southern 500, the first race of the NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, is up next.
When is the next NASCAR race?
- Date: Sunday, Aug. 31
- Start time: 6 p.m. ET
- Track: Darlington Raceway
The Cook Out Southern 500, the first race of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, will take place at 6 p.m. ET on Sunday, Aug. 31 at Darlington. It will feature the 16 drivers who qualified for the postseason.
What channel is NASCAR on today?
The Cook Out 500 on Aug. 31 can be seen on USA in the U.S. and TSN or RDS in Canada. It can also be streamed on Fubo.
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NASCAR radio station for Cook Out Southern 500
- Radio channel: SiriusXM channel 90
Listen to the 2025 Cook Out Southern 500 race and every race of the NASCAR season on SiriusXM.
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NASCAR Cup Series playoff race schedule 2025
(All times Eastern)
| Date | Race | Track | Time | TV/Winner |
| Aug. 31 | Cook Out Southern 500 | Darlington Raceway | 6 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Sep. 7 | Enjoy Illinois 300 | World Wide Technology Raceway | 3 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Sep. 13 | Bass Pro Shops Night Race | Bristol Motor Speedway | 7:30 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Sep. 21 | NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at New Hampshire | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | 2 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Sep. 28 | Hollywood Casino 400 | Kansas Speedway | 3 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Oct. 5 | Bank of America ROVAL 400 | Road Course | 3 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Oct. 12 | South Point 400 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | 5:30 p.m. | USA, Fubo |
| Oct. 19 | NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Talladega | Talladega Superspeedway | 2 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
| Oct. 26 | NASCAR Cup Series Playoff Race at Martinsville | Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |
| Nov. 2 | NASCAR Cup Series Championship | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. | NBC, Fubo |