​This July 9–12 racing weekend is packed with action even as Formula 1 and IndyCar take a breather. That lull actually leaves more couch space for everyone else to enjoy the thrills. The lineup includes a Georgia short-track doubleheader that distributes its paddock across two states, a German road course known for chewing through tires since the Cold War, and an ambitious sports car road trip up to Canada. In short, there’s plenty to watch whether you rise early or stay up late.
NASCAR’s schedule this weekend has a distinct geographic flavor. The Craftsman Truck Series departs from the main tour, taking aim at Lime Rock Park on Saturday afternoon, while the Xfinity Series and Cup Series teams set up shop at EchoPark Speedway in Hampton, Georgia. Xfinity returns to the track under the lights on Saturday night, and Sunday features the Quaker State 400—260 laps that have become one of the most physical dates on the Cup calendar, especially after Atlanta’s repave injected a superspeedway vibe into this mile-and-a-half layout. Chase Elliott captured the trophy here last year, and Atlanta has a knack for throwing a wrench into anyone’s expected results, especially with the unpredictability that comes with the repave.
Internationally, MotoGP rolls into the Sachsenring for its German round, a circuit renowned for its tight, left-heavy layout that riders have joked about for years as essentially one long corner with sponsors sprinkled along it. Sunday’s Grand Prix kicks off at 8:00 AM Eastern, giving fans a legitimate reason to set an alarm before NASCAR’s later-day action kicks off.
Meanwhile, IMSA’s WeatherTech Championship heads north to Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, where the Chevrolet Grand Prix closes out a weekend that also features a doubleheader from the VP Racing SportsCar Challenge. It’s a comparatively quieter stop than Atlanta or Sachsenring, but for prototype and GT enthusiasts, it stands out as the technical highlight of the four days.
All told, this is a rare racing weekend where the biggest storyline might be who’s not racing. F1 and IndyCar are between events, and NHRA won’t roar back to life until Sonoma. And that’s not a complaint—it’s a rare chance to indulge in a weekend of diverse motorsport, with time to watch multiple series across different continents.
Where to watch:
– NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series, Lime Rock Park, Saturday at 1:00 PM ET on FS1.
– NASCAR Xfinity Series, EchoPark Speedway, Saturday at 7:00 PM ET on The CW.
– NASCAR Cup Series, Quaker State 400, EchoPark Speedway, Sunday at 7:00 PM ET on TNT Sports.
– MotoGP German Grand Prix, Sachsenring, Sunday at 8:00 AM ET on FS1/FS2 and the MotoGP app.
– IMSA Chevrolet Grand Prix, Canadian Tire Motorsport Park, Sunday at 2:00 PM ET on Peacock.