TV Schedule: Sept. 14-16

The 12 Chase drivers pose in front of 'The Bean' as part of NASCAR Chase Media Day and NASCAR Contenders Live
on Wednesday in Chicago, Ill. Credit: David Banks/Getty Images for NASCAR

It's Chase time. The Sprint Cup Series' 10-week playoffs kicks off this weekend at Chicagoland. The top 12 drivers have made the media rounds this week, but now it's time to do what they do best - strap in and race.

With a series-high four wins, Denny Hamlin starts the 2012 Chase as the top seed. For a preview of Chicagoland, check out Katy Lindamood's Ten to Go: 2012 Chase preview.

The Nationwide Series returns to the Windy City for its second visit this year. Points leader Elliott Sadler, the spring winner, looks to sweep the track and pad his 1-point lead over defending champion Ricky Stenhouse Jr.

The Camping World Truck Series has a rare standalone event at Iowa, a fan favorite. Expect to see some bumping and banging at the short track as points leader Timothy Peters looks to sweep after his spring win here.

Track facts
Chicagoland Speedway, Joliet, Ill.
Length: 0.75-mile oval
Type: Short track
Banking: 14 degrees in the turns, 8 degrees on frontstretch, 2 degrees on backstretch

Iowa Speedway, Newton, Iowa
Length: 0.875-mile tri-oval
Type: Short track
Banking: 12 degrees-14 degrees compound banking, 10 degrees on the frontstretch, 4 degrees on backstretch

SPRINT CUP - Chicagoland
2011 winner: Tony Stewart

NATIONWIDE - Chicagoland
Fall 2011 winner: Brad Keselowski
Spring 2012 winner: Elliott Sadler

TRUCK SERIES - Iowa
Fall 2011 winner: Matt Crafton
Spring 2012 winner: Timothy Peters

The following is a schedule of track events and TV coverage this weekend at Chicagoland and Iowa. All times are in Eastern Standard Time. Events without channel listed will not be televised.

Friday, Sept. 14:
1 p.m. NSCS Practice at Chicagoland, ESPN2
2:30 p.m. NNS Practice at Chicagoland, ESPN2
4 p.m. The 10, SPEED
4 p.m. NSCS Final Practice at Chicagoland, ESPN2
4:30 p.m. NASCAR Contenders Live, SPEED
5:30 p.m. NNS Final Practice at Chicagoland, SPEED
7 p.m. NASCAR Performance, SPEED
7 p.m. NCWTS Practice at Iowa
8 p.m. Trackside, SPEED. Guests: Justin Allgaier and Danica Patrick.
9 p.m. NASCAR Contenders Live, SPEED
10 p.m. The 10, SPEED
10:30 p.m. The 10, SPEED
11 p.m. Trackside (re-air), SPEED

Saturday, Sept. 15:   
12 a.m. NASCAR Contenders Live, SPEED
1 a.m. NASCAR Performance, SPEED
11:30 a.m. NASCAR Live, SPEED
12 noon    NNS Qualifying at Chicagoland, SPEED
1:30 p.m. NSCS Qualifying at Chicagoland, SPEED
1:30 p.m. NCWTS Final Practice at Iowa
3 p.m. NNS Countdown, ESPN2
3:30 p.m. NNS at Chicagoland: Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola, ESPN2. Green flag: 3:46 p.m.
6:30 p.m. NCWTS Qualifying at Iowa, SPEED
8 p.m. NCWTS SetUp, SPEED
8:30 p.m. NCWTS at Iowa: American Ethanol 200, SPEED. Green flag: 8:47 p.m.
11 p.m. NSCS Qualifying (re-air), SPEED

Sunday, Sept. 16:
12:30 a.m. NCWTS at Iowa: American Ethanol 200, SPEED
6:30 a.m. NNS at Chicagoland: Dollar General 300 powered by Coca-Cola, ESPN2
8 a.m. NASCAR Now presented by 5-HOUR Energy, ESPN2
10 a.m. NASCAR Performance, SPEED
10:30 a.m. SPEED Center NASCAR Edition, SPEED
11 a.m. NASCAR RaceDay, SPEED
1 p.m. NSCS Countdown, ESPN
2 p.m. NSCS at Chicagoland: GEICO 400, ESPN. Green flag: 2:16 p.m. Re-airs at 12:30 a.m. Monday on ESPN2.
5:30 p.m. NASCAR Victory Lane Special Edition, SPEED
8 p.m. NASCAR Victory Lane, SPEED
11:30 p.m. NASCAR Now, ESPN2