NBCSN Presents First Race of the Monster Energy Nascar Cup Series Playoffs

NBC Sports Group surrounds the first race of the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs, with more than 17 hours of trackside coverage from CHICAGOLAND Speedway, in Joliet, Illinois. NBC Sports Group's race coverage begins Saturday at 3:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with XFINITY Series racing, and culminates Sunday at 3 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series racing.

After Kyle Larson's down-to-the-wire win last Saturday at Richmond Raceway, 16 drivers officially advanced to the 2017 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs. Going into the first race of the Playoffs, Martin Truex Jr. leads the field with 2053 points, followed by Larson (2033 points), Kyle Busch (2029 points), Brad Keselowski (2019 points), and Jimmie Johnson (2017 points).

In addition to live television coverage on NBCSN, NBCSports.com and the NBC Sports app - NBC Sports Group's live streaming product for desktops, mobile devices, tablets, and connected TVs - will provide comprehensive streaming coverage of this weekend's NASCAR action.

MONSTER ENERGY NASCAR CUP SERIES RACING FROM CHICAGO - SUNDAY AT 3 P.M. ET ON NBCSN

NBCSN kicks off its Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series coverage from Chicagoland, this Friday at 12:30 p.m. ET, with first practice, followed by qualifying at 6:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Saturday's coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. ET on CNBC, with second practice. A live on-site edition of NASCAR AMERICA begins at 1:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN and leads into final practice 2 p.m. ET.

Sunday's race day coverage begins at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN, with NASCAR America, and leads into NBC Sports Group's pre-race show, Countdown to Green, at 2:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Pre-race coverage includes interviews with all 16 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Playoff drivers, in addition to a live on-set interview with Ricky Stenhouse Jr., as he readies to compete in his first Cup Series Playoffs. In addition, Rutledge Wood tours the "Windy City," bringing viewers at home a glimpse of the best historic landmarks, deep dish pizza, and hot dogs, the city has to offer.

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