Given that we’re approaching the first Saturday night race of the Cup Series season, this semi-rare blast of Friday qualifying might’ve snuck up on you.

What’s Happening?

Supercars veteran Jack Perkins will make his NASCAR Xfinity Series debut earlier than planned. The 38-year-old is now slated to race at the Chicago Street Race.

Perkins was originally slated to drive Joe Gibbs Racing’s No. 19 at Portland International Speedway on Aug. 30. Now, the Supercars regular is moving his start-up to July 5’s The Loop 110 at the Chicago Street Circuit.

According to a post on his Instagram, Perkins was about to board a flight to Darwin, Australia. He then claimed, “I got the call from JGR that they were looking for a driver for the 19 at the only street track on the NASCAR calendar.”

One phone call later, with Shaw and Partners Financial Services stepping up to sponsor the car, Perkins was set for his new NASCAR debut. Perkins’s original debut was announced on May 23, joining a long list of marquee part-time drivers behind the wheel of JGR’s No. 19 car.

Supercars Stars in NASCAR

Perkins is a veteran of the Australian Supercars. Over the past few seasons, NASCAR fans have seen several Supercars drivers make the transition to NASCAR.

Though names like Marcos Ambrose had successfully made the transition in the past, the first in recent seasons was Shane van Gisbergen, who made his NASCAR debut in the inaugural Chicago Street Circuit Cup Series race in 2023 with Trackhouse Racing.

Since that race, in which van Gisbergen walked away with an impressive win, the former Supercars champion has made the full-time switch. Fellow Supercars stars Brodie Kostecki, Will Brown, and Cam Waters made their NASCAR debuts in 2023 and 2024 shortly after van Gisbergen’s win.

This year, Brown is slated to race in the Chicago Street Circuit Cup Series race with Kaulig Racing, while Cam Waters is making a one-off start this weekend with Thorsport Racing at Lime Rock Park.

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CHARLOTTE — A federal judge on Wednesday ordered a dozen NASCAR teams to provide 11 years of financial data to the stock car series as part of an ongoing legal fight but sharply limited what they need to share.

A day after hearing arguments from both sides, U.S. District Judge Kenneth Bell of the Western District of North Carolina said the information will “allow NASCAR to have much of the arguably relevant substance of the requested information, while protecting the legitimate interests” of the 12 teams. They had raised concerns that the private financial details could end up being made public and would hurt competitive balance.

Under the decision, the teams must provide top-line data — total revenue, total costs, and net profits and losses — dating to 2014. The teams and NASCAR were ordered to settle on an independent accounting firm to handle the details by Friday, with that work paid for by NASCAR.

Earlier this week, attorneys for 12 of the 15 overall race teams argued against disclosing their financial records to become part of NASCAR’s antitrust lawsuit. They are not parties in the ongoing suit filed by 23XI Racing, which is owned by the NBA Hall Jordan and three-time Daytona 500 winner Denny Hamlin, and Front Row Motorsports, owned by entrepreneur Bob Jenkins.

23XI and Front Row are the only two organizations of the 15 that refused last September to sign take-it-or-leave offers on a new charter agreement. Charters are NASCAR’s version of a franchise model, with each charter guaranteeing entry to the lucrative Cup Series races and a stable revenue stream. Of the 13 teams that signed, only Kaulig Racing has submitted the financial documents NASCAR subpoenaed as part of discovery.

Teams have long argued that NASCAR is not financially viable and they need a greater revenue stream and a more permanent length on the charter agreements, which presently have expiration dates and can be revoked by NASCAR. Two years of negotiations ended last fall with 13 teams signing on and 23IX and FRM instead heading to court.

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GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS will expand its standard format to a single three-hour race in 2026 from its current doubleheader 90-minute races each weekend. Announced ahead of the CrowdStrike24 Hours of Spa weekend by Stéphane Ratel, CEO of SRO Motorsports Group, the change marks the latest evolution in the format for GTWCA events.

The change brings GT World Challenge America into alignment with global endurance traditions while maintaining a tie to the series’ sprint-race roots. The new format will mean a minimum of two pit stops per race, opening up strategies for tires and driver stint options.

Also announced at Spa, which included previews of SRO Motorsports Group’s worldwide series, was a provisional calendar for 2026 that includes seven rounds. Five of the tracks are featured on this year’s schedule, book-ended by Sonoma Raceway in March and the Indianapolis 8 Hour at Indianapolis Motor Speedway in October, also a part of the Intercontinental GT Challenge. Other venues for 2026 include Circuit of The Americas, Sebring International Raceway, and Barber Motorsports Park. Two TBAs are included on the calendar, in the places currently occupied by VIRginia International Raceway and Road America.

The schedules for the other SRO Motorsports Group properties on the American docket will share the same calendar.

GT4 America retains its two 60-minute races each weekend format, aside from the three-hour Lone Star Enduro at COTA.

The calendar for GT America – the sprint series featuring current and out-of homologation GT3 and GT4 cars – mirrors the others with one-offs such as its appearance at the Acura Grand Prix of Long Beach apparently off the schedule.

GT America will welcome Cup cars into the fold for the 2026 season, re-introducing race-prepped Porsche GT3 Cup, Lamborghini Super Trofeo and Ferrari Challenge machines into the SRO America paddock. This addition creates a new home for one-make series racers seeking competitive, professionally managed sprint racing within a multi-class environment.

TC America powered by Skip Barber Racing School also will be present on all the SRO America weekends. Featuring factory-built racers from Hyundai, Toyota, Acura, BMW and Mazda, the series shifts to two 35-minute races a weekend from its current three-race format.

Provisional 2026 GT World Challenge America Powered by AWS calendar

Sonoma Raceway, March 27-29

Circuit of The Americas, April 24-26

Sebring International Raceway, May 15-17

TBA, June 12-14

TBA, August 28-30

Barber Motorsports Park, September 25-27

Indianapolis Motor Speedway, October 8-10

The NASCAR Cup Series heads back to Atlanta Motor Speedway, now known as Echo Park Speedway, for the Quaker State 400. Here is everything you need to know for Saturday night’s Cup Series action.

NASCAR Cup Series Quaker State 400 at Atlanta Motor Speedway

The first return to a track we have previously raced at this season, the second trip to Atlanta is a night race under the lights at the newly named Echo Park Speedway. We have seen some exciting moments at this track in the past, will we get another exciting finish? Or could it be the pace car leading the most laps at Echo Park?

Last fall, it was Joey Logano getting his only win of the 2024 playoffs that catapulted him to a third title. But back in February, it was Christopher Bell taking the win? Could these two win Saturday night, or will another driver step up to the challenge?

Read More: Christopher Bell Wins Atlanta, Despite More Caution Controversy

Race Preview:

The Quaker State 400 at Echo Park Speedway is a 400-mile, 260-lap race around the 1.5-mile racetrack. Stage cautions will be on laps 60 and 160, and the checkered flag on lap 260. 11,055,250 dollars are up for grabs in the prize purse for this race. Teams will have 9 sets of tires, 8 sticker sets, and 1 from their qualifying run. The Goodyear tires are made specifically for Atlanta and have been used since 2024.

The Track-Atlanta Motor Speedway

Built in 1960, Atlanta Motor Speedway has seen numerous reconfigurations across its lifespan. Its most recent repave saw the track go from 24 degrees of banking to 28 degrees. This has turned the track into a mini-superspeedway, producing pack racing and moves we used to only see at Daytona and Talladega.

Joey Logano has the most wins at the track on the new surface, with two. Josh Berry set the track record in 2024 with a 29.361-second lap.

Cup Series Point Standings:

Here are the point standings following the race at Pocono Raceway:

1. William Byron: 623
2. Kyle Larson: 569
3. Denny Hamlin: 545
4. Christopher Bell: 544
5. Chase Elliott: 543
6. Ryan Blaney: 503
7. Tyler Reddick: 490
8. Ross Chastain: 454
9. Chase Briscoe: 450
10. Joey Logano: 436

Read More: Chase Briscoe Breaks Through at Pocono, Saving Enough Fuel to Best Denny Hamlin

Drivers To Watch:

We have four drivers joining the field for this race:

• Corey LaJoie will drive the #01 Ford for Rick Ware Racing
• David Starr will drive the #66 Ford for Garage 66
• B.J. McLeod will drive his #78 Chevy for Live Fast Motorsports
• Connor Zilisch will drive the #87 Chevy for Trackhouse Racing

Looking at drivers who could drive to victory in the Quaker State 400. Realistically, I believe the winners will come from either Chevy or Ford. While Toyota is the defending winner here, it is an outlier in the data.

For the blue ovals, I think Blaney is the guy to beat from the Ford camp. 4th in February, 3rd last September, the results are tracking towards a win. Another Ford driver who needs to have a good weekend is Brad Keselowski. He is 30th in points and is in must-win territory to even make the playoffs. If Brad is gonna win somewhere, I think his best chance is Atlanta.

Daniel Suarez is also way below the playoff cut line, but the good news is. Atlanta is one of his best racetracks. A win in 2024 and has never finished worse than sixth in the second race. Another driver needing a win, and this is one of their best shots at one.

Read More: Daniel Suarez wins at Atlanta in Third Closest Finish in History

When you think of drafting and Toyota, I think of Denny Hamlin and his 23XI driver, Bubba Wallace. Hamlin ran second at Pocono last Sunday, so he’s got some momentum. Bubba needs a rebound from the brake failure DNF he had last week. Look for the #23 and the #11 saturday night

How To Watch The Cup Series at Atlanta:

Here is the weekend schedule for the Quaker State 400 at Echo Park Speedway:

Friday, June 27th:

Saturday, June 28th:

• The Quaker State 400 at Echo Park Speedway
  • 7:00 PM Eastern
  • Coverage will be on TNT Sports, HBO Max, and radio coverage on the SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel

Last Word On Motorsport will have all the news from Echo Park Speedway and the NASCAR Cup Series

Main Photo: Chris Graythen, Getty Images

Recording Date: 2/22/2025

The NASCAR Cup Series shifts into high gear as it heads to the high banks of Atlanta Motor Speedway for the 2025 Quaker State 400. Known for its lightning-fast speeds and pack racing drama, Atlanta promises another edge-of-your-seat showdown under the lights. Here’s what you need to know about the race, how to watch and more.

When is the Quaker State 400?

The Quaker State 400 is scheduled for Saturday, June 28th at 7 p.m. ET.

Where is the race?

The Quaker State 400 will take place at EchoPark Speedway in Atlanta, GA.

How long is the race?

The Quaker State 400 will consist of 260 laps across 400 miles.

Where can I watch the Quaker State 400? What channel will it be on?

The race will be broadcast live on TNT Sports.

How can I stream or watch the race without cable?

The Quaker State 400 can be streamed on TNT Sports and MAX.

What is the EchoPark Speedway Schedule?

Friday, June 27th

• NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series – Practice – 1:05 p.m. ET (FS2)
• ARCA Menards Series – Practice – 2:30 p.m. ET
• NASCAR Xfinity Series – Qualifying – 3 p.m. ET (CW app)
• ARCA Menards Series – Qualifying – 3:45 p.m. ET
• NASCAR Cup Series – Qualifying – 5:05 p.m. ET (truTV)
• NASCAR Xfinity Series Focused Health 250 – 7:30 p.m. ET (CW app)

Saturday, June 28th

Who is driving in the race?

There are 40 drivers entered into the Quaker State 400. Qualifying starts on Friday, 6/27.