What Channel Is NASCAR On Today?
TV Schedule, Start Times & Live Stream 2026
The complete guide to finding NASCAR on TV right now — which network is live today, how to stream without cable, where every Cup Series race lands across FOX, Prime Video, TNT Sports, and NBC, plus the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series on The CW and Craftsman Trucks on FS1.
What Channel Is NASCAR On Today? TV Schedule, Stream & Start Times
Which network has NASCAR right now — FOX, Prime Video, TNT, or NBC? Everything you need, updated weekly.
Asking what channel is NASCAR on today is no longer a simple question — and that’s exactly why this guide exists. In 2026, the NASCAR Cup Series is split across four broadcast partners: FOX Sports handles the opening 14 races, Amazon Prime Video owns five exclusive mid-season events, TNT Sports carries the summer five-race In-Season Challenge window, and NBC Sports closes out the final 14 races including all playoffs. The NASCAR race channel today depends entirely on where the season stands in that rotation.
This guide gives you a direct answer every race week — plus the complete NASCAR TV schedule 2026 by broadcaster, how to stream without cable, which races are free over the air, how to find NASCAR on DIRECTV, Spectrum, and Dish, and a full breakdown of the weekend schedule for all three national series. Bookmark it. You’ll need it every Sunday.
What Channel Is the NASCAR Race On Today?
The NASCAR Cup Series is currently in the Amazon Prime Video exclusive window. The most recent Cup race was the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan International Speedway on Sunday, June 7, which aired exclusively on Prime Video at 3 PM ET. Denny Hamlin won the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville the previous week (also on Prime Video).
The next Cup race is at Pocono Raceway (June 14) — also exclusively on Amazon Prime Video. After that, the San Diego Naval Base Coronado street race (June 21) closes out the five-race Prime window before TNT Sports takes over June 28 at Sonoma.
For O’Reilly Auto Parts Series and Craftsman Truck Series this weekend: check NASCAR channel today for session-specific listings. Trucks and O’Reilly races are on FS1 and The CW respectively.
2026 NASCAR Quick-View Broadcast Table
| Series | Network / Channel | Current Status | Streaming Platform |
|---|---|---|---|
| NASCAR Cup Series | PRIME VIDEO | Active now — Pocono Jun 14, San Diego Jun 21 still to come in this window | Amazon Prime Video (exclusive — no cable alternative) |
| NASCAR Cup Series (Next) | TNT / MAX | Starts Jun 28 at Sonoma — In-Season Challenge begins | Max with B/R Sports Add-on |
| O’Reilly Auto Parts Series | THE CW | All season — every race free OTA | CW App · YouTube TV · Fubo · Hulu Live |
| NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series | FS1 / FOX | All season — FOX Sports family | FOX Sports App · YouTube TV · Fubo |
Under NASCAR’s seven-year, $7.7 billion broadcast rights deal that launched in 2025, Amazon Prime Video secured exclusive rights to five Cup Series races per season — no cable, no FS1, no NBC. This includes the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (May 24), the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville (May 31), the FireKeepers Casino 400 at Michigan (June 7), Pocono (June 14), and the new Naval Base Coronado street race in San Diego (June 21). If you want to watch any of those five, Prime membership is the only option.
NASCAR TV Schedule 2026 — Full Season Broadcast Breakdown
The 2026 NASCAR TV schedule follows four sequential broadcast windows across the 36-race Cup Series calendar. Understanding which partner holds the rights in any given week is the essential first step. Below is the complete NASCAR broadcast schedule with every race, date, and network — updated to reflect results through June 7.
Window 1 — FOX Sports (Races 1–14 · Feb–May)
| Date | Race / Venue | Network | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 1 | Cook Out Clash — Bowman Gray Stadium Complete | FOX | Ryan Preece |
| Feb 15 | Daytona 500 — Daytona International Speedway Complete | FOX | Tyler Reddick |
| Feb 22 | Autotrader 400 — Atlanta Motor Speedway Complete | FOX | Tyler Reddick |
| Mar 1 | DuraMax Grand Prix — COTA Complete | FOX | Tyler Reddick |
| Mar 8 | Straight Talk Wireless 500 — Phoenix Complete | FS1 | Ryan Blaney |
| Mar 15 | Pennzoil 400 — Las Vegas Complete | FS1 | Denny Hamlin |
| Mar 22 | Goodyear 400 — Darlington Complete | FS1 | — |
| Mar 29 | NASCAR Cup Series — Martinsville Complete | FS1 | — |
| Apr 12 | Food City 500 — Bristol Complete | FS1 | — |
| Apr 19 | Kansas 400 — Kansas Speedway Complete | FOX | — |
| Apr 26 | Jack Link’s 500 — Talladega Complete | FOX | — |
| May 3 | NASCAR Cup — Texas Motor Speedway Complete | FS1 | — |
| May 10 | Go Bowling 400 — Watkins Glen Complete | FS1 | — |
| May 17 | All-Star Race — Dover Motor Speedway Complete (non-points) | FS1 | — |
Window 2 — Amazon Prime Video (Races 15–19 · May–Jun)
| Date | Race / Venue | Network | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 24 | Coca-Cola 600 — Charlotte Motor Speedway Complete | PRIME | Daniel Suárez (in tribute to Kyle Busch) |
| May 31 | Cracker Barrel 400 — Nashville Superspeedway Complete | PRIME | Denny Hamlin won in thrilling 4-lap finish |
| Jun 7 | FireKeepers Casino 400 — Michigan Complete | PRIME | Result confirmed — see results section |
| Jun 14 | NASCAR Cup — Pocono Raceway NEXT RACE | PRIME | ~3 PM ET — Prime Video exclusive |
| Jun 21 | San Diego Street Race — Naval Base Coronado UPCOMING | PRIME | 4 PM ET · Brand-new venue · U.S. Navy 250th anniversary |
Window 3 — TNT Sports / Max (Races 20–24 · Jun–Jul — In-Season Challenge)
| Date | Race / Venue | Network | Challenge Round |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jun 28 | Toyota/Save Mart 350 — Sonoma Raceway | TNT | Round 1 — 3:30 PM ET |
| Jul 5 | eero 400 — Chicagoland Speedway | TNT | Round 2 — 6 PM ET (Joliet oval returns) |
| Jul 12 | Quaker State 400 — EchoPark Speedway (Atlanta) | TNT | Round 3 — 7 PM ET |
| Jul 19 | Window World 450 — North Wilkesboro Speedway | TNT | Round 4 — returning to classic short track |
| Jul 26 | Brickyard 400 — Indianapolis Motor Speedway | TNT | Final — 2 PM ET · $1M In-Season Challenge winner crowned |
All five TNT Sports races form the 2026 NASCAR In-Season Challenge — a tournament-style format where 32 full-time drivers battle across five consecutive weekends for a $1 million prize. Races still count toward regular-season and playoff standings. Ty Gibbs won the inaugural 2025 edition. All five races stream via Max with the B/R Sports Add-on. Announcers: Adam Alexander, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Steve Letarte (same crew as Prime Video).
Window 4 — NBC Sports / USA Network (Races 25–36 · Aug–Nov — Playoffs)
| Dates | Events | Network |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 9 | Iowa Speedway — Season opener for NBC window | USA NETWORK |
| Aug–Sep | Regular season close + playoff openers | USA / NBC |
| Oct–Nov | The Chase — all 10 playoff rounds | USA / NBC |
| Nov 8 | NASCAR Championship — Homestead-Miami Speedway | NBC |
The NASCAR Championship race returns to Homestead-Miami Speedway for the first time since 2019, airing on NBC at 3 PM ET on November 8. Phoenix Raceway moves to the first round of the semi-final stage. This change is one of the biggest structural shifts in the 2026 NASCAR Cup schedule. The race is free over the air on NBC and streams on Peacock.
Also note: NASCAR changed its point system for 2026, returning to a format similar to the 2004–2013 “The Chase” structure. Race winners earn 55 points (up 15 from before). The top 16 drivers by points qualify for The Chase, eliminating automatic berths for regular-season winners.
NASCAR Race Weekend Schedule — Practice, Qualifying & Race Times
A NASCAR race weekend is a three-day event covering all three national series. Knowing what channel NASCAR is on today means knowing where each session lands, not just the Sunday race. Practice and qualifying rights are held by different partners than the race broadcaster in some windows — particularly during the Prime Video and TNT portions of the season.
| Day | Session / Series | FOX Window | Prime Window | TNT Window | NBC Window |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Friday | Truck Series Practice & Qualifying | FS2 | PRIME | MAX | USA |
| Friday eve | Craftsman Truck Series Race | FS1 | FS1 | FS1 | FS1 |
| Saturday AM | Cup Series Qualifying | PRIME | PRIME | MAX | USA |
| Saturday | O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Race | THE CW | THE CW | THE CW | THE CW |
| Sunday | NASCAR Cup Series Race | FOX / FS1 | PRIME only | TNT / MAX | NBC / USA |
Most NASCAR Sunday race start times are standardized at 3:00 PM or 3:30 PM ET — a deliberate decision by NASCAR in 2026 to build consistent appointment-viewing habits. Notable exceptions: the Coca-Cola 600 (6 PM ET), the Cracker Barrel 400 at Nashville (7 PM ET), and the Chicagoland race on TNT (6 PM ET). Night races at Bristol and Charlotte account for the later starts.
During the FOX Sports broadcast window, Amazon Prime Video holds the exclusive rights to most Cup Series practice and qualifying sessions — even though the race itself airs on FOX or FS1. This means you need a Prime subscription to watch qualifying in the first half of the season, and a Max/B/R Sports subscription during the TNT window. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio (Channel 90) and NASCAR.com offer audio coverage as a free-ish alternative.
For the exact NASCAR race start time today, always check the official NASCAR app or NASCAR.com — start times occasionally shift due to weather delays, track cleanup, or network conflicts. The NASCAR app sends push notifications when green flag times change, which can save you from missing a restart after a rain delay. See our NASCAR race start time guide for today’s confirmed green flag time.
How to Watch NASCAR Live Without Cable in 2026
You do not need a traditional cable subscription to watch a single lap of the 2026 NASCAR season. The combination of live TV streaming services, standalone streaming platforms, and free over-the-air broadcasts covers every race. Here is the complete stack:
Top Live TV Streaming Services — vMVPDs
Races broadcast on FOX, NBC, and The CW are free over the air with a basic digital antenna ($15–$30 one-time). This covers the Daytona 500, multiple early-season FOX races, the Championship finale at Homestead on NBC, and every single O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race on The CW. Pair with Sling Blue and Prime and you have near-complete coverage at significantly lower cost than cable.
For fans who already have a cable or vMVPD login, the FOX Sports App and NBC Sports App allow authentication using your provider credentials — enabling mobile and tablet viewing anywhere with a data connection. The Peacock app streams select NBC-window races and serves as the replay hub for all NBC Cup coverage throughout the playoffs.
If you want every single practice lap, every qualifying session, and every Cup race in one place, the NASCAR Channel on Tubi, Pluto TV, Samsung TV Plus, and Xumo provides 24/7 free coverage of replays, classic races, and analysis — though it does not carry live Cup Series events. Learn more in our full guide on how to watch NASCAR in 2026.
NASCAR Cup, O’Reilly Auto Parts Series & Craftsman Truck Series — Where to Watch Each
Three national series race on most NASCAR weekends, and each has its own TV home. Knowing which series is on which network is as important as knowing the Sunday race channel.
NASCAR Cup Series — The Main Event
The NASCAR Cup Series uses the “Next Gen” platform featuring independent rear suspension, 18-inch aluminum center-lock wheels, and a body design that functions closer to a GT3 car on road courses. Top speed exceeds 200 MPH at superspeedways. The 36-race schedule spans all track types: superspeedways (Daytona, Talladega), intermediate 1.5-mile ovals (Charlotte, Las Vegas), short tracks (Bristol, Martinsville), road courses (Sonoma, COTA, Watkins Glen), and new street circuits (San Diego). For a technical deep-dive, see our how NASCAR racing works guide and how pit stops work in NASCAR.
NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series — All on The CW, All Free
The 2026 season marks the first full year under the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series branding (formerly Xfinity Series). Every single race is on The CW — a free over-the-air network. This is one of the biggest accessibility improvements in NASCAR broadcasting history: fans no longer need any paid subscription to watch rising talent in a full professional series. The O’Reilly series opened at Daytona on February 14 at 5 PM ET and runs every race weekend alongside the Cup Series. Watch via antenna, the free CW App, or any live TV streaming service.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series — FOX Sports All Season
The Craftsman Truck Series is the wildest category on the NASCAR ladder — the trucks’ huge aerodynamic profile makes drafting extraordinarily powerful, producing chaotic, high-contact racing that often goes to overtime. Nearly all truck races air on FS1, with a few marquee events on the main FOX channel. The series opened at Daytona on February 13 at 7:30 PM ET on FS1 and runs most Friday evenings or Saturday afternoons, making it the natural appetizer before the weekend’s main courses.
| Series | Horsepower | Character | Where to Watch |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cup Series (Next Gen) | 670 HP | Sequential shifting, rack-and-pinion steering, 18″ wheels, GT3-style road course handling | FOX/FS1 PRIME TNT NBC/USA |
| O’Reilly Auto Parts Series | 650 HP | H-pattern shifting, high tire degradation, more driver-dependent chassis — considered the “drivers’ car” series | THE CW (FREE) |
| Craftsman Truck Series | 450 HP | Massive aero drag, high-intensity drafting, aggressive contact racing — most caution-flag-prone series | FS1 / FOX |
Wondering how NASCAR compares to other motorsport? Our IndyCar vs F1 comparison and guide on what downforce is in racing give context for why NASCAR cars handle so differently from open-wheel machinery despite similar speeds on certain circuits.
NASCAR 2026 Results, Standings & Latest News
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series has already produced some of the most dramatic storylines in the sport’s recent history — from a dominant early-season run by one driver to a tragedy that shook the entire motorsport world.
Most Significant 2026 Cup Results (Through June 7)
| Race | Date | Winner | Network |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cook Out Clash — Bowman Gray | Feb 1 | Ryan Preece | FOX |
| Daytona 500 | Feb 15 | Tyler Reddick | FOX |
| Autotrader 400 — Atlanta | Feb 22 | Tyler Reddick | FOX |
| DuraMax Grand Prix — COTA | Mar 1 | Tyler Reddick | FOX |
| Straight Talk 500 — Phoenix | Mar 8 | Ryan Blaney | FS1 |
| Pennzoil 400 — Las Vegas | Mar 15 | Denny Hamlin | FS1 |
| Coca-Cola 600 — Charlotte | May 24 | Daniel Suárez | PRIME |
| Cracker Barrel 400 — Nashville | May 31 | Denny Hamlin | PRIME |
| FireKeepers Casino 400 — Michigan | Jun 7 | See NASCAR.com | PRIME |
The 2026 season was struck by a devastating loss on May 21 when two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Busch passed away suddenly at age 41 following a severe illness. Busch, who was racing for Richard Childress Racing in his 22nd full-time Cup season, died after severe pneumonia progressed into sepsis. He held 63 Cup wins (ninth all-time), 102 O’Reilly Auto Parts Series wins (all-time record), and 69 Craftsman Truck Series wins (all-time record) — 234 victories across all three series. The Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on May 24 was the first Cup race following his death. Daniel Suárez won in an emotionally charged race that the entire paddock dedicated to Busch’s memory. Full coverage: NASCAR and Kyle Busch.
The Biggest Story of Early 2026 — Tyler Reddick’s Daytona Dominance
The season opened with Tyler Reddick going on a three-race winning streak across Daytona, Atlanta, and COTA — the first driver to win the first three races of a Cup season in modern history. His 23XI Racing team, co-owned by Denny Hamlin and Michael Jordan, immediately became the team to beat heading into the spring schedule. Hamlin himself then added wins at Las Vegas and Nashville, making it a two-driver 23XI dominance story through the first half of 2026.
For live standings as they update each race week, check the official NASCAR standings at NASCAR.com or use the who won the NASCAR race today tracker at World of Speed.
What Channel Is NASCAR On by TV Provider
Knowing the network is only half the battle — you also need to know the channel number on your specific cable or satellite provider. FOX, FS1, NBC, and USA Network are all available on every major provider, though the channel number varies by region and package. Here is a general reference guide for the most common providers:
| Provider | FOX (local) | FS1 | NBC (local) | USA Network | TNT |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| DIRECTV | Local channel varies | 219 | Local varies | 242 | 245 |
| Spectrum | Local channel varies | 411 (varies by market) | Local varies | 302 (varies) | 39 (varies) |
| Dish Network | Local varies | 150 | Local varies | 105 | 138 |
| Xfinity / Comcast | Local varies | 355 (varies) | Local varies | 120 (varies) | 75 (varies) |
| Cox | Local varies | 750 (varies) | Local varies | 74 (varies) | 43 (varies) |
No cable or satellite provider carries the Amazon Prime Video races or the TNT window via their standard channel lineup. For the five Prime-exclusive races and the five TNT/Max races, you need separate app-based subscriptions regardless of your cable package. DIRECTV Stream is an exception for TNT — it includes the channel. But for Prime Video races, no linear TV solution exists.
For the most accurate channel number in your specific market, use the channel lookup on your provider’s website or app before each race. Local FOX and NBC affiliates vary significantly even within the same metro area depending on your exact cable tier and zip code.
Frequently Asked Questions — What Channel Is NASCAR On Today
The Bottom Line: How to Never Miss a NASCAR Race in 2026
The four-network rotation means the days of “just turn on FOX” are over — but the 2026 NASCAR season is also the most accessible, multi-platform, and comprehensively covered in the sport’s history. Here is the three-second version: FOX/FS1 for races 1–14, Prime Video for races 15–19 (no cable option), TNT/Max for races 20–24, NBC/USA for the final 14 and all playoffs. O’Reilly series is always on The CW free. Trucks are always on FS1.
Bookmark the NASCAR channel today page, download the official NASCAR app for push notifications on start time changes, and set up your streaming stack before the season starts — not during it. With an antenna, YouTube TV, and Amazon Prime, you have 100% Cup coverage at a fraction of the cost of traditional cable.
