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In an attempt to obtain higher television ratings, NASCAR is shifting the start times for several Sprint Cup races in 2017 from early afternoon to mid-afternoon.
Just two races will retain a traditional 1 p.m. ET start time next season, a decrease from 10 races in 2016. Among the 11 Sunday events moved closer to primetime -- the optimal window to capture additional television viewers -- is the season-opening Daytona 500, which will now take the green flag at 2 p.m. ET.
Overall, 25 of 36 races will start in the 2:00 hour or later in 2017.
NASCAR historically waited until January to unveil start times for the forthcoming season, but Wednesday's announcement was made to give those within the industry and fans a chance to plan in advance.
Additionally, the 2018 Daytona 500 will move back to its traditional President's Day weekend date. NASCAR's signature event ran on that holiday weekend from 1959-2011 before shifting to the subsequent weekend beginning in 2012.
2017 Sprint Cup Series schedule
| Date | Track | TV | Time (ET) | Radio |
| 2/18 | Daytona International Speedway (non-points Unlimited) | FS1 | 8 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 2/23 | Daytona International Speedway (Duel qualifying races) | FS1 | 7 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 2/26 | Daytona 500 | FOX | 2 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 3/5 | Atlanta Motor Speedway | FOX | 2:30 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 3/12 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 3/19 | Phoenix International Raceway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 3/26 | Auto Club Speedway | FOX | 3:30 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 4/2 | Martinsville Speedway | FS1 | 2 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 4/9 | Texas Motor Speedway | FOX | 1:30 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 4/23 | Bristol Motor Speedway | FOX | 2 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 4/30 | Richmond International Raceway | FOX | 2 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 5/7 | Talladega Superspeedway | FOX | 2 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 5/13 | Kansas Speedway | FS1 | 7:30 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 5/20 | Charlotte Motor Speedway (non-points All-Star Race) | FS1 | 6 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 5/28 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | FOX | 6 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 6/4 | Dover International Speedway | FS1 | 1 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 6/11 | Pocono Raceway | FS1 | 3 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 6/18 | Michigan International Speedway | FS1 | 3 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 6/25 | Sonoma Raceway | FS1 | 3 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 7/1 | Daytona International Speedway | NBC | 7:30 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 7/8 | Kentucky Speedway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 7/16 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 3 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 7/23 | Indianapolis Motor Speedway | NBC | 3 p.m. | IMS / SiriusXM |
| 7/30 | Pocono Raceway | NBCSN | 3 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 8/6 | Watkins Glen International | NBCSN | 3 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 8/13 | Michigan International Speedway | NBCSN | 3 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 8/19 | Bristol Motor Speedway | NBC | 7:30 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 9/3 | Darlington Raceway | NBCSN | 6 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 9/9 | Richmond International Raceway | NBCSN | 7:30 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 9/17 | Chicagoland Speedway | NBCSN | 3 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 9/24 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 2 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 10/1 | Dover International Speedway | NBCSN | 2 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 10/7 | Charlotte Motor Speedway | NBCSN | 7 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 10/15 | Talladega Superspeedway | NBC | 2 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 10/22 | Kansas Speedway | NBCSN | 3 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 10/29 | Martinsville Speedway | NBCSN | 1 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 11/5 | Texas Motor Speedway | NBC | 2 p.m. | PRN / SiriusXM |
| 11/12 | Phoenix International Raceway | NBC | 2:30 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |
| 11/19 | Homestead-Miami Speedway | NBC | 2:30 p.m. | MRN / SiriusXM |