NASCAR 2025: Phoenix Weekend Schedule and TV Info for Shriners Children’s 500

The weekend schedule at the Phoenix Raceway excites NASCAR fans as drivers adapt to new challenges and chase early-season momentum. The Shriners Children’s 500 on Sunday, March 9, marks the debut of option tires on the 1-mile oval, a strategic twist tested last year at Richmond Raceway and North Wilkesboro Speedway.

Meanwhile, Christopher Bell eyes a historic three-in-a-row win in the Next Gen era. Adding to that anticipation, Katherine Legge becomes the first woman to race in the Cup Series since Danica Patrick in 2018.

From ARCA practice to Cup qualifying, here’s how to catch every lap of the desert showdown.

Phoenix Raceway Weekend Schedule for Practice, Qualifying, and Race Times

Friday, March 7

• ARCA Menards Series Practice: 4:30-5:15 p.m. ET
• ARCA Menards Series Qualifying: 5:30-5:50 p.m. ET
• ARCA General Tire 150 Race: 8 p.m. ET (FS1, MRN, SiriusXM)
• Garage Hours:
  • ARCA: 11 a.m.-1 a.m. ET
  • Xfinity/Cup: 3:30-8:30 p.m. ET

Saturday, March 8

• Xfinity Series Practice: 11:35 a.m.-12:25 p.m. ET (CW App)
• Xfinity Series Qualifying: 12:40-1:30 p.m. ET (CW App)
• Cup Series Practice: 2:05-2:45 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime, MRN)
• Cup Series Qualifying: 3:10-4 p.m. ET (Amazon Prime, MRN)
• Xfinity Govx 200 Race: 5 p.m. ET (CW, MRN, SiriusXM)
• Garage Hours:
  • Xfinity: 10 a.m.-10:30 p.m. ET
  • Cup: Noon-4:30 p.m. ET

Sunday, March 9

• Cup Series Shriners Children’s 500: 3:30 p.m. ET (FS1, MAX, MRN, SiriusXM)
• Stages: Lap 60, Lap 185, Lap 312
• Pre-Race Coverage: NASCAR RaceDay at 2 p.m. ET (FS1)
• Garage Hours: Cup Series open 12:30 p.m.-10:30 p.m. ET

Phoenix
ET

Fri
4:30-ARCA p&q
8-FS1-ARCA race 150
NWS:50s, 5% rain day, 20% night

Sat
11:30-CW App-Xfinity p&q
2-Prime-Cup p&q
4:30-CW-NASCAR Countdown
5-CW-Xfinity race 45-45-110
NWS:60s,0%

Sun
2-FS1-NASCAR RaceDay
3:30-FS1-Cup race 60-125-127
NWS:70s,0%

— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) March 6, 2025

Weather Outlook and Key Event Details

Friday’s ARCA events face a 70% chance of morning showers, with temperatures peaking near 56°F. Skies will clear by Saturday, offering sunny conditions (68°F) for Xfinity and Cup sessions. Sunday’s forecast promises ideal racing weather: 76°F and zero rain risk at race start.

Debuted at Phoenix after positive feedback from Richmond and North Wilkesboro, option tires add strategic depth. Drivers praised their impact on passing opportunities, though their durability on abrasive pavement remains untested.

Legge’s Cup debut with Live Fast Motorsports marks a milestone for women in NASCAR. Bell, meanwhile, aims to become the first Next Gen-era driver with three consecutive wins.

For fans tracking the action, Sunday’s Cup race airs on FS1 and MAX, with radio coverage via MRN and SiriusXM. Saturday’s Xfinity race streams on CW, while Prime Video hosts Cup practice and qualifying.