Racing Weekend Guide: F1, NASCAR, IndyCar July 16‑19

F1 Returns from Summer Break – Belgian Grand Prix Preview

Charles Leclerc arrives at Spa‑Francorchamps fresh off a chaotic victory at the British Grand Prix, hoping his Ferrari’s power will shine on Belgium’s long straights and heavy braking zones. The Circuit de Spa‑Francorchamps hosts round 10 of the world championship from July 17‑19, with practice on Friday and qualifying on Saturday before the race goes green on Sunday. Spa’s Ardennes forest circuit is legendary for creating its own weather, so a dry qualifying session offers no guarantee for race day. Supporting the marquee F1 field, FIA Formula 2, Formula 3 and the Porsche Mobil 1 Supercup all roll out for a full three‑day schedule of wheel‑to‑wheel action.

NASCAR’s Short‑Track Revival at North Wilkesboro

After a brief hiatus, NASCAR returns to the iconic 0.625‑mile North Wilkesboro Speedway for the Window World 450, a 450‑lap, 281.25‑mile showdown. Qualifying takes place on Friday, July 17, with the green flag waving at 7:00 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19, broadcast on TNT Sports and Max. The venue’s banked, technical corners have long been a favorite among fans, delivering the old‑school short‑track racing that makes this weekend a highlight of the Cup calendar. Drivers will need patience and precision as the tight layout constantly tests tire graining and braking discipline.

IndyCar Heads to Music City

The NTT IndyCar Series arrives at Lebanon, Tennessee for the Borchetta Bourbon Music City Grand Prix, running on the concrete oval of Nashville Superspeedway. The race kicks off at 5:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, July 19, on Fox, with the track’s egg‑shaped corners expected to bunch the field and create late‑race drama. Josef Newgarden captured this event last year, and the unpredictable layout often turns the battle into a playoff‑style sprinter’s dash. Expect close positioning and potential caution periods as cars struggle with the unique banking and gearing adjustments required by the surface.

NHRA Ignites Again in Sonoma

The NHRA Camping World Drag Racing Series breaks its early‑July pause with the DENSO NHRA Sonoma Nationals presented by PowerEdge, running Friday through Sunday, July 17‑19. The event marks the tour’s first full weekend of action since the break and showcases the high‑speed nature of Sonoma Raceway’s road‑course layout. June’s NASCAR Cup outing saw Shane van Gisbergen dominate the field, hinting at the challenges the asphalt can pose across disciplines. Fans can catch the nitro‑charged cars battling for the win throughout the weekend.

WRC Speed on Gravel in Estonia

Round 9 of the World Rally Championship heads to Tartu, Estonia for the Delfi Rally Estonia, spanning July 16‑19. The rally is famed for its high‑speed gravel roads and the iconic Estonian jumps that launch cars over blind crests, delivering some of the most spectacular stages on the WRC calendar. Drivers will need to maintain precision and aggression as the open surfaces reward confidence and reward those who can carry speed through the air‑worthy jumps. The entire weekend is streamed via WRC+ for global fans.

Other Weekend Races

Beyond the headline series, the GT World Challenge Europe Sprint Cup stages its fifth round at Misano World Circuit Marco Simoncelli with a record 45‑car GT3 field across Pro, Gold, Silver and Bronze categories. Two one‑hour races are scheduled for Saturday and Sunday under Misano’s night lights. Meanwhile, Super Formula makes its second stop of the season at Fuji International Speedway, delivering three separate races for Japan’s premier open‑wheel series over the same weekend. These additional events add depth to a packed four‑day schedule.

Who’s Sitting Out This Weekend

Not all championships are active. MotoGP sits between rounds after Germany, with the next event in Great Britain not until August. WorldSBK just finished its UK appearance at Donington Park and will not return until September in France. IMSA’s WeatherTech Championship pauses until Road America wraps up the month, and the FIA World Endurance Championship is on hiatus after Brazil, with its next stop being the Lone Star Le Mans in September. This lineup creates distinct gaps in the summer racing landscape.

How to Watch

Key broadcast details are straightforward. The NASCAR Window World 450 airs on TNT Sports and Max at 7:00 p.m. ET. IndyCar’s Music City Grand Prix streams on Fox at 5:30 p.m. ET. Formula 1’s Belgian Grand Prix is available via the F1 app and local listings for Sunday morning. NHRA’s Sonoma Nationals coverage is spread across the weekend on NHRA.com. The WRC’s Delfi Rally Estonia is streamed via WRC+, while GTWC and Super Formula races are found on their respective series’ streaming platforms.

This four‑day stretch gives fans a rare chance to sample a variety of disciplines—from the high‑speed straights of Spa to the tight twists of North Wilkesboro, the concrete chaos of Nashville, the nitromethane blasts of Sonoma, and the gravel fireworks of Estonia. Whether you tune in for a single race or attempt to catch them all, July 16‑19 promises to be one of the summer’s most action‑packed racing weekends.