With the arrival of Friday, the NASCAR All-Star Race weekend also officially began.

Three days of practices, qualifying, heat races, pit crew competitions and finally, honest-to-Betsy racing at North Wilkesboro Speedway begins on Friday afternoon with ... Craftsman Truck Series practice?

That's right, the weekend isn't all left up to the Cup Series with the trucks taking to the 0.625-mile oval for an event of their own, the Wright Band 250 on Saturday.

That race pays points. The rest of the weekend will not. But that doesn't mean the NASCAR All-Star Race will be any shorter on intrigue or drama, what with an altered format, qualifying process and two heats to decide the starting order. That doesn't take into account the NASCAR All-Star Open, a race with 20 drivers vying for two spots into the All-Star Race field and then the ever-popular fan vote.

And you can watch it all right from the comfort of your own living room. Here's how to do so.

NASCAR TV schedule this weekend

Friday, May 17

• 3 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series practice (FS1)

• 4: Cup Series qualifying entry/exit practice (FS1)

• 4:35: Cup Series practice (FS1)

• 5:40: Cup Series, All-Star Open qualifying (FS1)

• 6:20: Cup Series, All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (FS1) (postponed)

Saturday, May 18

• 10:35 a.m.: Craftsman Truck Series qualifying (FS1)

• 11:40: Cup Series qualifying/All-Star Pit Crew Challenge (FS1)

• 1:30 p.m.: Craftsman Truck Series, Wright Band 250 (FS1)

Sunday, May 19

• 11:30 a.m.: Craftsman Truck Series, Wright Band 250 (resumption, rained out after 81 laps on Saturday)

• 5:30 p.m.: Cup Series, All-Star Open (FS1)

• 8: Cup Series, All-Star Race (FS1)

This article originally appeared on The Daytona Beach News-Journal: NASCAR TV schedule for All-Star Race, qualifying at North Wilkesboro