Coke Zero 400: Full TV schedule for NASCAR at Daytona

DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 02: Fireworks burst over Daytona International Speedway after the conclusion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on July 2, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images)
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - JULY 02: Fireworks burst over Daytona International Speedway after the conclusion of the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Powered By Coca-Cola on July 2, 2016 in Daytona Beach, Florida. (Photo by Matt Sullivan/Getty Images) /
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It’s going to be an emotional weekend of racing at Daytona International Speedway as Dale Earnhardt Jr. makes what could be his final Cup Series drive there, and we tell you how and when to watch it all.

As Americans, we have a bunch of July 4th weekend traditions, but NASCAR fans look forward to Saturday night more than most. Under the lights at Daytona is where the Coke Zero 400 will once again be run, but this one has more meaning than most.

Dale Earnhardt Jr. is retiring at season’s end, meaning this could be his final Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series ride in the 88 (though not necessarily) at the track more associated with him than any other. That alone could inspire more people than usual to tune in.

When doing so, remember that this is the weekend that NASCAR coverage makes its annual switch from the Fox family of networks to NBC and NBCSN. No “boogity, boogity, boogity” from DW at the start of races, so … sorry.

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There’s also a NASCAR XFINITY Series race under the lights on Friday night, so consider making an early holiday weekend of it. Here are the times and channels you need to keep in mind fo rthe Coke Zero 400 and Coca-Cola Firecracker 250, courtesy of NASCAR.com:

Thursday, June 29

  • NASCAR XFINITY Series practice, 2:00 p.m., NBCSN
  • Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, 3:00 p.m., NBCSN
  • NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, 4:00 p.m., NBCSN
  • Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, 5:00 p.m., NBCSN

Friday, June 30

  • NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, 2:10 p.m., NBCSN
  • Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, 4:10 p.m., NBCSN
  • NASCAR XFINITY Series Coca-Cola Firecracker 250, 7:30 p.m., NBCSN

Saturday, July 1

  • Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coke Zero 400 Powered by Coca-Cola, 7:30 p.m., NBC