​The NASCAR Cup Series returns to one of the circuit’s most entertaining stops with the Quaker State 400 set to run on July 12, weather permitting, at EchoPark Speedway just south of Atlanta. Gusting thunderstorms and persistent rain are sweeping through the Hampton, Georgia area, keeping rain chances in the 50% to 70% range through the evening as organizers monitor conditions. When the field finally takes the green flag, Ryan Blaney will start from the pole position, and the race will also mark the quarterfinal round of the in-season challenge tournament.
Follow along with comprehensive NASCAR updates from the Tennessean as the action unfolds: Atlanta race picks, including expert predictions for the Cup Series race in 2026, and a live leaderboard detailing the full field for the Quaker State 400. The National Weather Service is projecting a 57% chance of precipitation around the scheduled green-flag moment, with thunderstorms possible as the cars head to the green. Through the night, rain chances are forecast to linger between 55% and 70%, and temperatures are expected to settle in the mid-70s.
Matchups in the in-race bracket feature 25th seed Todd Gilliland vs. 32nd seed Alex Bowman, 4th seed Chase Elliott vs. 12th seed Chase Briscoe, 3rd seed Ryan Blaney vs. 11th seed William Byron, and 2nd seed Denny Hamlin vs. 10th seed Christopher Bell. The current top 10 in points heading into the event includes: Ryan Blaney (No. 12, Team Penske Ford), Joey Logano (No. 22, Team Penske Ford), Kyle Larson (No. 5, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet), Austin Dillon (No. 3, Richard Childress Racing Chevrolet), Daniel Suárez (No. 7, Spire Motorsports Chevrolet), Alex Bowman (No. 48, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet), Chase Elliott (No. 9, Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet), Austin Cindric (No. 2, Team Penske Ford), Ross Chastain (No. 1, Trackhouse Racing Chevrolet), and Brad Keselowski (No. 6, RFK Racing Ford). For the full starting lineup, consult the official release.
Radio coverage of the Quaker State 400 will be provided by the Performance Racing Network (PRN), with affiliates nationwide, including 102.5 The Game in Nashville. PRN’s feed is also streamable via NASCAR.com and the NASCAR app. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will carry the race on channel 90. The Quaker State 400 will be broadcast nationally on TNT, with additional streaming options available through HBO Max for the full broadcast, in-car cameras, and related feeds.
Green Flag Time is targeted for approximately 6:15 p.m. CT on Sunday, July 12. The race takes place at EchoPark Speedway, a 1.54-mile oval located in Hampton, Georgia, and will run 260 laps, totaling 400.4 miles. The event is divided into three stages: Stage 1 at 60 laps, Stage 2 at 100 laps, and Stage 3 at 100 laps. The HBO Max app will offer the full broadcast feed and in-car cameras for subscribers, while NASCAR.com and SiriusXM provide audio coverage (subscription may be required).
From recent seasons, notable winners at similar times include Tyler Reddick in spring 2026, Chase Elliott in summer 2025, Christopher Bell in spring 2025, and Joey Logano in summer 2024, underscoring the evolving competition and the strengths of various teams across the Cup Series. The Quaker State 400 promises to be a pivotal race in the season’s progression, with weather challenges adding urgency to crews and drivers as they navigate traffic, strategy, and the ever-present possibility of a multi-car weather delay.