Is There a NASCAR Race Today? What to Know About Sunday’s Schedule and Upcoming Southern 500

For NASCAR fans looking forward to a Sunday race, today brings a brief pause in the action. The NASCAR Cup Series is off this Sunday, August 24, 2025, following Saturday night’s thrilling Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona International Speedway. That race served as the regular-season finale and officially locked in the playoff field for the 2025 postseason.

Is there a NASCAR race today? Here’s what fans need to know

The answer is no—there is no NASCAR Cup Series race scheduled for Sunday, August 24. The most recent race took place on Saturday, August 23, at Daytona. Ryan Blaney emerged victorious in a dramatic four-wide finish, edging out Daniel Suarez, Justin Haley, and Cole Custer to claim his second win of the season.

With that race, the playoff field is now set. Tyler Reddick and Alex Bowman managed to clinch the final two spots in the postseason based on points.

This break is standard as NASCAR shifts gears into playoff mode. The next Cup Series race is scheduled for Sunday, August 31, at Darlington Raceway, kicking off the Round of 16 with one of the sport’s most iconic races—the Cook Out Southern 500.

What’s next for NASCAR: Full Cup Series playoff schedule

With the field locked in, the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs are ready to begin. The Round of 16 includes three pivotal races where drivers must perform to avoid elimination. The top 12 drivers will advance after this round, with a race win guaranteeing a spot in the next stage.

NASCAR Cup Series Playoff – Round of 16:

• Cook Out Southern 500 – Darlington Raceway – Sunday, August 31

• Enjoy Illinois 300 – World Wide Technology Raceway – Sunday, September 7

• Bass Pro Shops Night Race – Bristol Motor Speedway – Saturday, September 13

Who made the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs?

Here’s how the playoff drivers rank entering the Round of 16:

1. William Byron (+26 pts)

2. Kyle Larson (+26)

3. Denny Hamlin (+23)

4. Ryan Blaney (+20)

5. Christopher Bell (+17)

6. Shane van Gisbergen (+16)

7. Chase Elliott (+7)

8. Chase Briscoe (+4)

9. Bubba Wallace (+2)

10. Austin Cindric (+2)

11. Ross Chastain (+1)

12. Joey Logano (+1)

Drivers just below the cutoff line include:

• Josh Berry (-1)

• Tyler Reddick (-1)

• Austin Dillon (-2)

• Alex Bowman (-5)

The intensity will be high as drivers battle for survival in the coming weeks.

Key NASCAR TV schedule leading up to the Southern 500

Friday, August 29

• 2:00 p.m. CT: NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series practice and qualifying (FS2)

Saturday, August 30

• 8:00 a.m. CT: NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying (truTV)

• 11:00 a.m. CT: Sober or Slammer 200 Truck Series race (FS1)

• 2:00 p.m. CT: Xfinity Series practice and qualifying in Portland (CW app)

• 6:30 p.m. CT: Pacific Office Automation 147 Xfinity Series race (CW Network)

Sunday, August 31

• 5:00 p.m. CT: Southern 500 Cup Series race at Darlington (USA Network)

As NASCAR fans gear up for the playoffs, this weekend offers a moment to reflect on a dramatic regular season before diving into the high-stakes competition of the postseason. The next race at Darlington promises edge-of-your-seat action as the top 16 drivers begin their quest for the 2025 championship.

For your information:

Is there a NASCAR race on August 24, 2025?
No, the NASCAR Cup Series is off on Sunday, August 24. The last race was Saturday, August 23, at Daytona.

When is the next NASCAR Cup Series race?
The next race is the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway on Sunday, August 31, 2025.

Who won the last NASCAR Cup Series race?
Ryan Blaney won the Coke Zero Sugar 400 at Daytona in a four-wide photo finish.

What is the Southern 500?
The Southern 500 is a prestigious NASCAR race at Darlington Raceway and marks the start of the Cup Series Playoffs.

How do NASCAR playoffs work?
Sixteen drivers compete across elimination rounds. Winning a race within a round automatically advances a driver to the next stage.

Who are the top drivers in the 2025 NASCAR playoffs?
William Byron, Kyle Larson, and Denny Hamlin lead the playoff standings heading into the Round of 16.