The NASCAR playoffs are headed to Texas Motor Speedway, here’s what to know

Brayden Garcia
Bob Booth/Special to the Star-Telegram

The next stage of the NASCAR playoffs makes a pit stop at Texas Motor Speedway this weekend as 12 drivers race towards the silver trophy.

This is the second time NASCAR has been to Texas Motor Speedway this season, after hosting all-star races in May. Racing fans can watch the action this weekend on USA Network or by radio on 95.9 FM “The Ranch”.

The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 for the Xfinity series and Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 for the NASCAR Cup Series are on the docket this weekend. Tickets are still available for the races and here’s everything you need to know if you plan to visit Texas Motor Speedway this weekend:

Andy’s Frozen Custard 300

The Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 kicks off Saturday at 2:30 p.m. at Texas Motor Speedway.

Saturday’s event is the opening playoff round of the NASCAR Xfinity series. Essentially, in baseball terms, the NASCAR Cup Series is the major leagues to the Xfinity Series’ minor league. Both tiers are in NASCAR, but Xfinity drivers race in slightly different cars from the main league.

Another difference between the two leagues is that the Xfinity series playoff is only three rounds: the round of 12, round of 8 and championship 4. Each round consists of three races and Saturday’s event is the opening race for the round of 12 and those drivers are:

  • Noah Gragson

  • Ty Gibbs

  • Justin Allgaier

  • AJ Allmendinger

  • Josh Berry

  • Austin Hill

  • Brandon Jones

  • Jeremy Clements

  • Sam Mayer

  • Daniel Hemric

  • Riley Herbst

  • Ryan Sieg

Saturday’s schedule:

  • 8 a.m.: Fan zone opens

  • 9 a.m.: Gates 3, 4, 5, 6 and suites open.

  • 9:35-11 a.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series practice and qualifying.

  • 2 p.m.: Xfinity Series driver introductions.

  • 2:30 p.m.: Race starts.

Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500

The Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 kicks off Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at Texas Motor Speedway.

Sunday’s event is the first race of the round of 12 for the NASCAR Cup Series, aka the playoffs. There are three races in each playoff round, except for the championship, and this Sunday’s race at TMS will be the first race of the round of 12.

In total, there are four rounds of the NASCAR playoffs: the round of 16, round of 12, round of 8 and the championship 4. This Sunday marks the first race of the round of 12 and here’s what drivers are in the championship hunt:

  • Christopher Bell, Joe Gibbs Racing.

  • William Byron, Hendrick Motorsports.

  • Denny Hamlin, Joe Gibbs Racing.

  • Chase Elliot, Hendrick Motorsports.

  • Kyle Larson, Hendrick Motorsports.

  • Ross Chastain, Trackhouse Racing.

  • Joey Logano, Team Penske.

  • Alex Bowman, Hendrick Motorsports.

  • Ryan Blaney, Team Penske.

  • Chase Briscoe, Stewart-Haas Racing.

  • Daniel Suárez, Trackhouse Racing.

  • Austin Cindric, Team Penske.

Here’s a full breakdown of Sunday’s schedule:

  • 9 a.m.: Fan Zone opens.

  • 10 a.m.: Gates 3, 4, 5, 6 and suites open.

  • 10 a.m.-2:30 p.m.: Pre-race pass access via Steps, Barr Tunnel and South Scoring Tower.

  • 12:45-1:45 p.m.: Daughtry pre-race concert at start/finish line.

  • 2 p.m.: NASCAR Cup Series driver introductions.

  • 2:30 p.m.: Race starts.

Where to buy tickets

Tickets are still available for both races this weekend and there’s even a package that includes entry for both events.

Tickets for the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 range from $49 to $170 and can be purchased online from Ticketmaster. Andy’s Frozen Custard 300 tickets range from $25 to $80 and can be purchased online from Ticketmaster.

If fans are looking to attend both races, the NASCAR playoff pack might be the way to go. The package includes tickets for both Saturday and Sunday races, and ranges from $99 to $185. Playoff pack tickets can be purchased online from Ticketmaster.

Parking and directions to Texas Motor Speedway

Most of the parking at Texas Motor Speedway is free.

Sections 101 to 149 on the southwest side of the speedway are free, as are sections 401 to 449 in the northwest corner. A full parking map can be found online here.

VIP parking is also available for those looking to park closer to the speedway. VIP parking for Saturday costs $50 and $75 for Sunday’s race.

Texas Motor Speedway staff have laid out a few ways to arrive at the venue.

From Fort Worth, you can take Interstate 35W north then exit on SH 114 and drive under the overpass to the speedway. Another route is to take Interstate 35W to U.S. 287 North, then turn left from U.S. 287 North to FM 156, and then a right to SH 114 to the speedway.

Going west from Dallas on SH 114, at the junction of Interstate 35W and SH 114 continue straight under the bridge and then turn right into the speedway.

From Denton, you take Interstate 35W south and exit right on SH 114. Another route is taking U.S. 380 west from Denton and turning left on FM 156 south to SH 114 to the speedway.

What is allowed inside Texas Motor Speedway

On race day you’re only allowed to bring certain items inside the speedway.

Permitted items are:

  • Bags 18 inches by 18 inches by 14 inches and soft-sided coolers 14 inches by 14 inches by 14 inches. Limit of two bags per person is allowed.

  • Sun screen, hand sanitizer and bug spray.

  • Pre-packaged food or beverages in bag or soft-sided cooler. Alcoholic beverages are allowed, but no glass containers.

  • Insulated cups, seat cushions without metal, blankets and laptops.

  • Service animals and collapsible umbrella strollers.

  • Approved flags that are attached to pencil-sized wooden sticks.

  • Cameras, binoculars, scanners and headsets.

Non-permitted items include:

  • Displaying the Confederate flag.

  • Foam or hard-sided coolers, umbrellas and glass containers.

  • Guns, knives and fireworks.

  • Laser pointers, noise makers and air horns.

  • Collapsible chairs, frisbees and obscene clothing.

  • Drones, skateboards, bicycles and wagons.

What’s next after this weekend’s race?

Both the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity series’ will continue after this weekends races and conclude with championships in November.

The Cup Series will continue its next two races of the round of 12 at the Talladega Superspeedway on Oct. 2 and Charlotte Motor Speedway on Oct. 9. The round of 8 gets underway Oct. 16 at the Las Vegas Motor Speedway, next is Homestead-Miami Speedway on Oct. 23 and Martinsville Speedway on Oct. 30.

Championship 4 is on Nov. 6 at Phoenix Raceway where a new champion will be crowned.

The Xfinity Series follows the same location schedule as the Cup, meaning that all of its races will take place at the same venue just one day earlier

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