NASCAR Daytona 2014 schedule: Firecracker 250 and Coke Zero 400 on tap

Daytona International Speedway is going to be a race fan’s heaven this weekend with the Nationwide Series and Sprint Cup Series both scheduled to run on the famed track. The action will get underway with a busy Friday that includes multiple rounds of qualifying and the Firecracker 250.

The Nationwide drivers running in the Firecracker 250 will be the first to take to the track as they begin qualifying for the Friday night race at 3:10 p.m. ET. Not long later, the Sprint Cup drivers will take their turn with the three-round qualifying schedule set to begin at 5:10 p.m.

The qualifying for the Coke Zero 400 will be a bit unique with the new group qualifying structure combined with a restrictor plate race. NASCAR opted to use single-car qualifying for the Daytona 500, making the qualifying on Friday just the second group qualifying for a restrictor plate race, joining Talladega in May.

The qualifying will be broken into three sessions. All the cars will participate in the first 25-minute session. The fastest 24 will advance to the 10-minute second round with the 12 fastest moving on to the 5-minute third round. The car with the fastest lap -- likely the one able to draft best -- will take the pole.

Once qualifying is complete, the attention will turn back to the Nationwide Series with the Subway Firecracker 250 scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. Green flag will fly at approximately 7:46 p.m. with coverage beginning on ESPN 2 at 7 p.m. The Sprint Cup Series will move back into the spotlight Saturday night with green flag for the Coke Zero 400 scheduled for 7:50 p.m. TNT will handle the broadcast with pre-race coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. and live coverage starting at 7:30 p.m.

Here is closer look at the schedule for the weekend. All times Eastern.

3:10 p.m. - Firecracker 250 qualifying

5:10 p.m. - Coke Zero 400 qualifying

7:30 p.m. - Subway Firecracker 250 on ESPN 2

7:30 p.m. - Coke Zero 400 on TNT