Start the engines! The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series season kicks off this weekend in Los Angeles, California. The Busch Light Clash is an exhibition that takes place in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
NASCAR is celebrating its 75th anniversary this year, and it’s kicking off the season with a splash by returning to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for the second year in a row. Later in the season, the Cup Series will return to North Wilkesboro Speedway, which hasn’t been utilized since 1996, in a homage to NASCAR’s history.
It’s time to rev up the engines and put the pedal to the metal once more!
The NASCAR Cup Series season begins on February 5, 2023, and lasts nine months until a new champion is crowned on November 5, 2023.
The exhibition Clash in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum kicks things off for the second year in a row. The drivers will then return across the country to prepare for the 65th running of the Daytona 500 on February 19.
On May 21, the Cup Series will hold 36 points races, as well as the Clash and the NASCAR All-Star Race, at the historic North Wilkesboro Speedway. The regular season concludes with a second race at Daytona International Speedway on August 26 before the 10-race playoffs begin on September 3 at Darlington Raceway.
On November 5, the 2023 champion will be crowned at Phoenix Raceway. Joey Logano will seek to defend his crown, while 2014 champion Kevin Harvick will try to drive out into the sunset with a second championship trophy before retiring.
EM2Sports provides everything you need to know about the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series:
How to watch the free 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Live:
Viewers around the world can watch the action live on the following channels and here for free:
Live Broadcast: 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Live
Are all 2023 NASCAR Cup Series races shown on TV?
Yes. From the exhibition Clash on February 5 until June 11, every race will be aired on Fox or Fox Sports 1. All races, including the championship race, will be aired on NBC or USA Network beginning June 25.
Can the 2023 NASCAR Cup Series races be live-streamed?
All races shown on FOX and FS1 may be seen live on Fox Sports Live and the Fox Sports app. NBC and USA races can be viewed on Peacock, the NBC Sports website, and the NBC Sports app.
The 2023 NASCAR Cup Series schedule
(With dates, name or location of race, TV network and time; all times are ET)
Sunday, Feb. 5: Clash (Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum), FOX, 8 p.m.
Thursday, Feb. 16: Duel at Daytona, FS1, 7 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 19: Daytona 500, FOX, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Feb. 26: Auto Club Speedway (Fontana, California), FOX, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 5: Las Vegas, FOX, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 12: Phoenix, FOX, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 19: Atlanta, FOX, 3 p.m.
Sunday, March 26: COTA (Austin, Texas), FOX, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 2: Richmond, FS1, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, April 9: Bristol Dirt, FOX, 7 p.m.
Sunday, April 16: Martinsville, FS1, 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 23: Talladega, FOX, 3 p.m.
Sunday, April 30: Dover, FS1, 2 p.m.
Sunday, May 7: Kansas, FS1, 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 14: Darlington, FS1, 3 p.m.
Sunday, May 21: NASCAR All-Star Race (North Wilkesboro), FS1, 8 p.m.
Sunday, May 28: Charlotte, FOX, 6 p.m.
Sunday, June 4: World Wide Technology Raceway (Madison, Illinois), FS1, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 11: Sonoma, FOX, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, June 25: Nashville, NBC, 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 2: Chicago (street race), NBC, 5:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 9: Atlanta, USA, 7 p.m.
Sunday, July 16: New Hampshire, USA, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 23: Pocono, USA, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, July 30: Richmond, USA, 3 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 6: Michigan, USA, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 13: Indianapolis (road course), NBC, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Aug. 20: Watkins Glen, USA, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Aug. 26: Daytona, NBC, 7 p.m.
***PLAYOFFS***
Sunday, Sept. 3: Darlington, USA, 6 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 10: Kansas, USA, 3 p.m.
Saturday, Sept. 16: Bristol, USA, 7:30 p.m.
Sunday, Sept. 24: Texas, USA, 3:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 1: Talladega, NBC, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 8: Charlotte Roval, NBC, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 15: Las Vegas, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 22: Homestead-Miami, NBC, 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, Oct. 29: Martinsville, NBC, 2 p.m.
Sunday, Nov. 5: Phoenix (championship race), NBC, 3 p.m.
2023 NASCAR Cup Series Format:
The rest of the non-qualifiers will move into one of the two LCQ races. The top three in the 50-lap lcq will advance into the main event. There’s one provisional on offer to the highest in points from the previous season.
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The Busch Light Clash main event is a 150-lap race. A race break is added at lap 75. 27 cars will start the race, up from 23 last year.
Starting Positions
1st
Heat 1 – Winner
2nd
Heat 2 – Winner
3rd
Heat 3 – Winner
4th
Heat 4 – Winner
Heat 1 – 2nd Place
6th
Heat 2 – 2nd Place
7th
Heat 3 – 2nd Place
8th
Heat 4 – 2nd Place
9th
Heat 1 – 3rd Place
10th
Heat 2 – 3rd Place
11th
Heat 3 – 3rd Place
Heat 4 – 3rd Place
13th
Heat 1 – 4th Place
14th
Heat 2 – 4th Place
15th
Heat 3 – 4th Place
16th
Heat 4 – 4th Place
17th
Heat 1 – 5th Place
18th
Heat 2 – 5th Place
Heat 3 – 5th Place
20th
Heat 4 – 5th Place
21st
LCQ 1 – Winner
22nd
LCQ 2 – Winner
23rd
LCQ 1 – 2nd Place
24th
LCQ 2 – 2nd Place
25th
LCQ 1 – 3rd Place
26th
LCQ 2 – 3rd Place
Points Provisional
