NASCAR moves up start time for New Hampshire Cup race due to weather threat

The NASCAR Cup race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will take place at 2pm EST

In reaction to the threat of inclement weather, NASCAR has announced plans to move up the start time for the Dollar Tree 301 on Sunday. The Cup Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway will start an hour earlier than originally scheduled, now planned for 2pm EST.

Goodyear does have wet-weather tires, which were used at NHMS in 2024. There has been no change to the schedule for Saturday. The track has since released an updated schedule for race day.

Updated Sunday schedule at NHMS

7 a.m. EST – Parking Lots Open

8:30 a.m. EST – Ticket Booths Open

10 a.m. EST – Fan Zone, Ticket Gates, Suites and Hospitality Opens 1

1 a.m. EST – Trackside Live

11:30 a.m. EST – 1:45 p.m. – Fan Track Access

1 p.m. EST – The Drivers’ Meeting

1:25 p.m. EST – Driver Introductions

2 p.m. EST – “Drivers, Start Your Engines!”

2:20 p.m. – Green Flag

New Hampshire Motor Speedway serves as the penultimate race of the regular season, with the 16-driver Chase field set to be decided next weekend. Live coverage can be found on USA.

An abbreviated pre-race show on USA will now start at 2pm EST., right when the command to start engines is expected to take place.

Ryan Blaney is the defending winner of the Cup race at NHMS. The NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series is also at the 'Magic Mile' this weekend with plans to race on Saturday.