Daytona 500: How To Watch NASCAR 2018 Season Opener

CHARLOTTE, NC -- The start of a brand new February brings forth plenty of rituals, from rodent weather predictions to red-soaked proclamations of love. February also represents something something sacred for auto racing fans: the start of a new race season with the Daytona 500.

This year marks the 60th anniversary of the NASCAR season launch as Cup, Xfinity and Truck series drivers take to the 2.5 mile long track boasting 31-degree banking for three days of racing starting Friday, February 16.

Fan favorite and recent NASCAR retiree Dale Earnhardt Jr. will also be the Grand Marshal this year. His exodus as a weekly track regular, along with a new Cup car on the track and a new road course to be unveiled in Charlotte are just some of the new elements fans will see in the upcoming 2018 season.

SEE ALSO: Dale Earnhardt Jr To Race In NASCAR 2018 Season After All

"This is going to be an interesting season for NASCAR because there's been so much turnover with the stars of the sport," said Jenna Fryer, who writes about NASCAR for the Associated Press.

Here is the schedule for the Daytona 500 speedweek, as well as the times and channels for event broadcast:

Saturday, Feb. 10

• 10:35-11:55 a.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice (Advance Auto Parts Clash)
• 1:05-1:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series first practice
• 3:05-3:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice

Sunday, Feb. 11

• 12:15 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying (single vehicle/two rounds), FOX
• 3 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Advance Auto Parts Clash (75 laps, 187.5 miles), FS1

Thursday, Feb. 15

• 11:35 a.m.-12:55 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series first practice
• 2:25-3:25 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series second practice
• 4:35-5:25 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series final practice
• 7 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duel 1 (60 laps, 150 miles), FS1
• 9 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Can-Am Duel 2 (60 laps, 150 miles), FS1

SEE ALSO: NASCAR: 6 Things To Look For In 2018 Season

Friday, Feb. 16

• 12:05-12:55 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series practice
• 1:05-1:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice
• 2:05-2:55 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series final practice
• 3:05-3:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice
• 4:30 p.m.: NASCAR Camping World Truck Series qualifying (single vehicle/two rounds)
• 7:30 p.m. NASCAR Camping World Truck Series NextEra Energy Resources 250 (100 laps, 250 miles), FS1

Saturday, Feb. 17

• 9:35 a.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series qualifying (single vehicle/two rounds)
• 12:05-12:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice
• 2:30 p.m.: NASCAR Xfinity Series PowerShares QQQ 300 (120 laps, 300 miles), FS1

Sunday, Feb. 18

• 2:30 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Daytona 500 (200 laps, 500 miles), FOX

Who are you pulling for this season? Tell us about it in the comment section.

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