NASCAR Racing Fans Expect Big Weekend of Racing, Stars, and Something New on Sunday

DOVER, Del. July 19, 2025 — NASCAR fans from Milford and across the region will have front-row access to history Sunday as Dover Motor Speedway hosts the semifinal round of the sport’s first-ever In-Season Tournament during the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 400.

The knockout-style competition, introduced in 2025, mirrors March Madness with 32 drivers battling head-to-head across five races. Sunday’s race will determine which two drivers advance to the million-dollar final at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Final four matchups set

The four semifinalists set to compete on the Monster Mile include:

Ty Dillon (No. 32 seed) vs. John Hunter Nemechek (No. 12 seed)
Ty Gibbs (No. 6 seed) vs. Tyler Reddick (No. 23 seed)

Dillon has emerged as the tournament’s Cinderella story, knocking out top contenders like Denny Hamlin, Brad Keselowski and Alex Bowman with aggressive late-race moves. Nemechek advanced with narrow victories over Erik Jones and Chase Elliott, while Gibbs and Reddick—both Toyota teammates—are known for their road-course skills and consistent finishes.

Race day schedule

The day begins with free parking at 8 a.m., followed by fan activities and driver appearances at the Monster Monument in Victory Plaza beginning at 11 a.m. Scheduled to appear are Cup Series stars Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson, Ryan Blaney, Josh Berry and Kyle Busch.

The tournament semifinalists will take the stage at noon for live interviews with fans.

The race itself is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. and will be broadcast live on TNT, with alternate coverage on truTV and streaming on Max2. Radio coverage will be provided by PRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.

Opening ceremonies

Opening remarks will be delivered by Dover Motor Speedway President Mike Tatoian, with Gen. Zachary S. Warakomski of the U.S. Space Force serving as VIP guest. The invocation will be given by Chaplain Dan Schafer of Calvary Assembly of God in Hightstown, New Jersey.

A C-5M Super Galaxy from the 9th Airlift Squadron at Dover Air Force Base will perform the traditional pre-race flyover.

Saturday Race Schedule

Fans arriving early can enjoy a full weekend of racing, including:

Saturday, July 19 – BetRivers 200 NASCAR Xfinity Series race, 4:30 p.m. (The CW)

Dover milestones

Dover Motor Speedway has long been a cornerstone of NASCAR history. Jimmie Johnson holds the record for most Cup Series wins at the track with 11, followed by legends Bobby Allison and Richard Petty with seven apiece. Among active drivers, Kyle Busch leads with three Dover Cup victories.

Busch and Mark Martin are the only drivers to win at Dover in all three of NASCAR’s top series: Cup, Xfinity and Truck.

With high drama, patriotic tributes and family-friendly entertainment, Sunday’s race promises to be a defining moment in NASCAR’s evolving season—and it’s just a short drive for fans in central and southern Delaware.