NASCAR Bank of America 500 Weekend: Events, Tips, How To Watch

CHARLOTTE, NC -- NASCAR’s Bank of America 500, an October tradition, marks the second round of playoffs for the 2017 season and promises to bring out tens of thousands of fans to the Charlotte Motor Speedway.

Drivers will sprint around the 1.5 mile-long track more than 330 laps to drive 500 miles Sunday afternoon. Race fans looking forward to the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series will have options for viewing on track and garage action before the big race Sunday, Oct. 8.

This year’s playoff structure that whittles down contenders for the championship title. Last week, in Dover, Del., drivers Kasey Kahne, Kurt Busch, Ryan Newman and Austin Dillon were eliminated. This weekend, however, all eyes will be on the Kyle Busch and Brad Keselowski, both of whom have risen in points standings in recent races, according to The Charlotte Observer.

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The weekend's schedule of events includes:

• Bojangles Pole Night -- Friday, Oct. 6, 7 p.m.
• Drive for the Cure 300, NASCAR XFINITY Series -- Saturday, Oct. 7, 3 p.m.

• Brad Paisley will perform Sat., Oct. 7 at the zMAX Dragway. Tickets are free with the purchase of a Bank of America 500 ticket
• Bank of America 500, Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series -- Sunday, Oct. 8, 2 p.m.

Charlotte Motor Speedway suggests these fan tips:

• Arrive early -- Speedway officials urge race fans to arrive early, suggesting they give themselves a couple of hours to enjoy pre-race activities or to tailgate.
• Keep an eye on traffic when planning your arrival. Traffic reports will be broadcast on WSOC-FM 103.7, officials said.
• Bring a jacket, ear plugs and sunscreen.
• Pack a cooler -- Coolers as large as 14” by 14” by 14” may be brought into the Speedway. Glass bottles are not allowed.
• Catch a fan shuttle -- There is free parking surrounding the Speedway. More information about those lots may be found here.
• Rent a scanner -- listen to driver communication as they speed around the track. Headsets may be rented at the Racing Electronic haulers near the Fan Zone, infield and concourse.
• Download the Charlotte Motor Speedway app
• More fan tips may be found here.

Best Route To Charlotte Motor Speedway:

According to Speedway officials, Interstate 85 to Exit 49 (Bruton Smith Boulevard) is usually the most congested road on event days. Good alternatives are Hwy 29 from both the North and the South and Hwy 49 to Morehead Road.

Here is the event schedule track side and how to watch:

Friday, Oct. 6

• 1:30-2:55 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, NBCSN (Follow Live)
• 3-3:55 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series practice, NBCSN (Follow Live)
• 6-6:55 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series final practice, NBCSN (Follow Live)
• 7:20 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN (Follow Live)

Garagecam (Watch live)

• 1 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series
• 2:30 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series

Press Pass (Watch live)

• 11:45 a.m.: Ryan Blaney
• 12:45 p.m.: Kyle Larson
• 1 p.m.: Michael Annett, Brendan Gaughan, Daniel Hemric and Ryan Reed
• 3:10 p.m.: Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• 3:40 p.m.: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
• 4 p.m.: Martin Truex Jr.
• 8:10 p.m.: Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series qualifying

Saturday, Oct. 7

• 11-11:50 a.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice, NBCSN (Follow Live)
• 12:05 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Coors Light Pole Qualifying, NBCSN (Follow Live)
• 1:30-2:20 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series final practice, NBCSN (Follow Live)
• 3 p.m.: NASCAR XFINITY Series Drive for The Cure 300 Presented by Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina (200 laps, 300 miles), NBCSN (Follow Live)

Press Pass (Watch live)

• 5:30 p.m.: Post-NASCAR XFINITY Series race

Sunday, Oct. 8

• 2 p.m.: Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Bank of America 500 (334 laps, 501 miles), NBC (Follow Live)

Press Pass (Watch live)

• 5:30 p.m.: Post-Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series race

Photo via Pixabay

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