The NASCAR Sprint Cup Playoffs Roll into Martinsville on NBC Sports, 10/30

The 2016 NASCAR Sprint Cup Championship picture will sharpen this weekend as NBCSN presents the first race in the Round of Eight at Martinsville Speedway. Last weekend's action-packed race at Talladega ended the campaigns of several Chase hopefuls, including Martin Truex Jr., and Brad Keselowski. Sunday's playoff event offers the first opportunity for one of the remaining eight Chasers to secure an opportunity to compete for the Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 20. Before the green flag waves this Sunday at 12:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN, pre-race coverage begins at noon ET and includes in-depth interviews, footage and stories from each of the Chase drivers still standing.

NBCSN PRESENTS FIRST RACE IN NASCAR SPRINT PLAYOFF ROUND OF 8 SUNDAY AT 12:30 P.M. ET

NBC Sports kicks off its second consecutive standalone Sprint Cup coverage Friday with Sprint Cup practice at 11 a.m. ET on NBCSN, followed by qualifying at 4:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN. An on-site edition of NASCAR AMERICA from Martinsville Speedway wraps up the day at 6 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Saturday's coverage includes practice at 9 a.m. ET on CNBC, followed by final practice at noon ET on NBCSN. Race Day coverage begins on NBCSN with NASCAR AMERICA at 12 p.m. ET followed by Countdown to Green at 12:30 p.m. ET. Race coverage of the first playoff race in the Round of 8 begins at 1 p.m. ET on NBCSN. The checkered flag is immediately followed by an on-site post-race show, as well as a trackside edition of Victory Lap beginning at 5:30 p.m. ET on NBCSN.

Race announcer Rick Allen calls this weekend's action alongside analysts Steve Letarte and Jeff Burton. Pre- and post-race coverage is handled by host Krista Voda, and analysts Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett. Marty Snider, Mike Massaro, Dave Burns and Kelli Stavast report from pit road. Rutledge Wood contributes to NBCSN's coverage Friday and Sunday.

ONE MORE TIME! DALE EARNHARDT JR. RETURNS TO THE NBCSN BROADCAST BOOTH THIS SUNDAY IN MARTINSVILLE

After last week's successful visit as a guest analyst in the NBCSN broadcast booth in Talladega, Dale Earnhardt Jr. returns this Sunday to lend his knowledge as an analyst during NBCSN's coverage from Martinsville Speedway. Earnhardt will again work alongside his former crew chief Steve Letarte, race announcer Rick Allen and fellow analyst Jeff Burton.