Event
Following a NASCAR Race Weekend from Los Angeles
The Earnhardt name runs through NASCAR history. Dale Earnhardt Sr., the seven-time Cup Series champion known as "The Intimidator," remains one of the sport's defining figures, and his son Dale Earnhardt Jr. became one of its most popular drivers before moving into broadcasting and team ownership. Any weekend preview with the Earnhardt name attached tends to draw fans who care as much about that legacy as about the current entry list.
A typical NASCAR race weekend follows a familiar rhythm. Practice sessions let teams dial in setups. Qualifying then sets the starting grid, and the main event closes out the weekend, usually on Sunday. Cup Series races are split into stages, with points awarded at the end of each stage. That gives drivers reasons to push hard well before the final laps. Strategy around pit stops, tire wear and fuel can change the running order several times, so the fastest car in practice does not always win.
Watching from the West Coast
For viewers in Los Angeles, many races start in the morning or around midday Pacific time, because most tracks are in the Eastern or Central time zones. Check the official NASCAR schedule and your broadcaster's listings for exact start times. Coverage moves between networks and streaming platforms over the season, so confirm where each race airs before the green flag. Our schedule page is a useful place to plan the rest of your weekend around live events.
Getting more out of a preview
- Look at recent results at the same track type: superspeedways, short tracks and road courses reward different skills.
- Note any weather in the forecast, since rain can delay or shorten a race.
- Watch for drivers who need points to secure a playoff spot, because they often take bigger risks.
If you prefer seeing racing in person, Southern California has its own motorsport history. Some of our other coverage looks at the region's live events and the local fan culture around them.