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Rocky Top Today
By the People, for the People
NASCAR Bristol Qualifying Airs on FS1 Today
Tune in for live coverage of the qualifying session ahead of the Food City 500 race at Bristol Motor Speedway.
Apr. 11, 2026 at 11:08am
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A cubist interpretation of the high-speed action and intense competition of a NASCAR race at the iconic Bristol Motor Speedway.Rocky Top TodayThe NASCAR Cup Series is back in action this weekend at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee. Qualifying for the Food City 500 race will take place today, with live coverage airing on FS1 starting at 3:00 PM ET. Drivers will compete to set the starting lineup for Sunday's main event.
Why it matters
Bristol Motor Speedway is one of the most iconic and challenging tracks on the NASCAR circuit. Qualifying well here can give drivers a major advantage, as passing is notoriously difficult on the short, high-banked oval. The results of today's qualifying session will set the stage for an exciting race on Sunday.
The details
The NASCAR Cup Series qualifying session at Bristol Motor Speedway will feature all drivers competing to post the fastest lap times, which will determine the starting order for the Food City 500 race on Sunday. The top drivers will earn the pole position and the best starting spots on the grid.
- The qualifying session will take place today, April 11, 2026.
- Coverage on FS1 will begin at 3:00 PM ET.
The players
Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
NASCAR driver who commented on the new motorsports program at the University of Tennessee, called Rocky Top Racing.
What they’re saying
“Tennessee's new motorsports program, Rocky Top Racing, is an exciting development for the sport. It's great to see universities investing in programs that can help develop the next generation of NASCAR talent.”
— Ricky Stenhouse Jr., NASCAR Driver
What’s next
The starting lineup for the Food City 500 race at Bristol Motor Speedway will be set following today's qualifying session. The main event is scheduled for Sunday, April 13, 2026.
The takeaway
Today's NASCAR qualifying at Bristol Motor Speedway is a crucial step in preparing for one of the most thrilling races on the Cup Series calendar. Fans will want to tune in to see which drivers will earn the best starting positions for Sunday's highly anticipated Food City 500.
