How to watch NASCAR at Watkins Glen: Weekend schedule, weather, start time, TV

NASCAR is back on a road course this weekend with the Cup, O’Reilly, Craftsman Truck, and ARCA Menards Series at Watkins Glen International. This is the earliest WGI has ever appeared on the schedule, and the weather looks iffy with some rain expected.

Shane van Gisbergen is the defending Cup winner at Watkins Glen, and he is hoping to secure his first win of the 2026 season this weekend. Championship leader Tyler Reddick won the only road course race held so far this season, besting SVG at the Circuit of the Americas.

The Glen will look a bit different with new tire packs lining the outside of Turn 1 and the Carousel, limiting the runoff drivers can utilize throughout the weekend.

In this story, you can find all the information you need to watch this weekend’s action at Watkins Glen, from the weekend schedule to where to watch, and even the full entry list.

Recent Headlines 

Friday, May 8

11:00am EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice — FOX SPORTS 2

12:30pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series qualifying — FOX SPORTS 2

1:30pm EST — ARCA Menards Series race (41 laps) — FOX SPORTS 2

4:30pm EST — NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series race (1727 laps) — FOX SPORTS 1

Saturday, May 9

10:30am EST — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series practice — CW APP

11:35am EST — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series qualifying — CW APP

1:00pm EST — NASCAR Cup Series practice — PRIME VIDEO

2:10pm EST — NASCAR Cup Series qualifying — PRIME VIDEO

4:00pm EST — NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race (82 laps) — THE CW

Sunday, May 10

1:30pm EST — NASCAR RaceDay pre-race show — FOX SPORTS 1

3:00 pm EST — NASCAR Cup race at Watkins Glen (100 laps) — FOX SPORTS 1 

Shane van Gisbergen, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet

Photo by: Chris Graythen – Getty Images

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How can I watch the NASCAR Cup Series at Texas?

• Date: Sunday, May 10
• TV start time: 1:30pm EST
• Green flag: 3:14 pm EST 
• Laps: 100 laps 
• Stages: 20 / 30 / 50
• TV channel: FS1 | TSN (Canada) | Other international viewing options
• Live stream: In-car cameras on HBO MAX
• Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Weather forecast

With the Watkins Glen date moved earlier into the season than ever before, the weather is going to be a bit different than past races. It will be cooler, with a chance of rain every day, but these will be passing rain showers rather than intense storms. This will make the grass treacherous as well, with muddy conditions that could easily damage any cars that go off-road. Temperatures will struggle to reach 60 degrees Fahrenheit, with overnight lows falling into the 40s.  

Who is competing in the Go Bowling at The Glen?

There are 36 chartered entries and two open entries. Josh Bilicki the No. 66 Ford, while Katherine Legge is making her first start of the year in the Live Fast Motorsports No. 78 Chevrolet.

Also, all three Trackhouse drivers (Chastain, Van Gisbergen, Zilisch) will be performing triple-duty this weekend. Two other Cup drivers are running the Truck race — Carson Hocevar and A.J. Allmendinger.

Open entries italicized 

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– The Motorsport.com Team