The NASCAR Cup Series race can air on Fox, Amazon Prime Video, TNT Sports, or NBC, because the 2026 season is split among four broadcast and streaming partners by part of the calendar.
To find today’s channel, check where you are in the season: Fox opens the year, Prime Video takes a late-spring stretch, TNT Sports runs through summer, and NBC closes the season including the playoffs. Most races start on Sunday afternoon Eastern.
There is no single NASCAR channel anymore, which is the biggest change under the current media deal. Here is how the season divides up and how to find and stream every race.
What Channel Is the NASCAR Race On?
It depends on the time of year. Under the media rights deal that began in 2025, the Cup Series is divided across four partners, each carrying a block of the schedule. Fox and FS1 open the season, including the Daytona 500. Amazon Prime Video then carries an exclusive stretch of races in late spring, its NASCAR debut window. TNT Sports takes a summer block across TNT, truTV, and Max. NBC, USA Network, and Peacock close the season, carrying the playoffs and the championship race.
Because the carrying network rotates with the calendar rather than week to week within a slot, the reliable way to know today’s channel is to check where the season stands and match it to the schedule.
| Part of the season | Network | How to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Season opening, including the Daytona 500 | Fox / FS1 | Local Fox (antenna) or YouTube TV, Hulu, Fubo, Sling Blue, DirecTV |
| Late spring (exclusive stretch) | Amazon Prime Video | Prime Video streaming only |
| Summer block | TNT Sports (TNT, truTV, Max) | TNT via live-TV services; Max streaming |
| Fall, playoffs, and championship | NBC / USA Network / Peacock | Local NBC (antenna), USA via live-TV, Peacock streaming |
How to Watch NASCAR Without Cable
Covering the full season without cable takes more than one service, because of the four-way split. A live-TV service such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo handles the Fox, FS1, TNT, USA, and NBC portions in most markets. For the Prime Video stretch you need an Amazon Prime subscription, and the TNT Sports summer block also streams on Max.
NBC’s closing-stretch coverage, including playoff races, streams on Peacock. If you are building a setup to follow the whole season, our guide to watching live TV online compares the services that carry Fox, NBC, USA, and TNT.
Is the NASCAR Race Free to Watch?
Some races, not all. The Fox-carried races at the start of the season air on the Fox broadcast network, which is free over the air with an antenna, and the NBC-carried races in the fall are free the same way on your local NBC affiliate. Those two broadcast windows cover a meaningful share of the schedule at no cost.
The rest sit behind a subscription. The FS1, TNT, USA Network, and cable portions need a pay TV or live-TV plan, the Prime Video races require Amazon Prime, and the Max streams need a Max subscription. Free trials can cover individual races, but there is no single free route to the entire season.
NASCAR Schedule and Start Times
Most NASCAR Cup Series races run on Sunday afternoon Eastern, with some Saturday night and midweek events on the calendar. Because the network changes by part of the season, the schedule is the key reference. Check the official NASCAR schedule for each race’s date, start time, and carrying network, and confirm the broadcast on NBC Sports NASCAR or the relevant partner during its window.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channel is the NASCAR race on today?
It depends on the time of year. Fox and FS1 carry the season opening, Amazon Prime Video has a late-spring stretch, TNT Sports runs through summer, and NBC, USA Network, and Peacock close the season. Check the NASCAR schedule to confirm today’s network.
Is NASCAR on Fox or NBC?
Both, at different points in the season. Fox and FS1 open the year through late spring, and NBC, USA Network, and Peacock carry the fall stretch including the playoffs. In between, Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports each have their own blocks.
How does the 2026 NASCAR TV schedule work?
The Cup Series is split four ways: Fox and FS1 at the start, Amazon Prime Video in late spring, TNT Sports across summer, and NBC, USA Network, and Peacock to finish. Each partner carries a defined block of races rather than alternating week to week.
How can I watch NASCAR without cable?
Use a live-TV service such as YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, or Fubo for the Fox, FS1, TNT, USA, and NBC races, add Amazon Prime for the Prime Video stretch, and use Max for the TNT block. Peacock covers NBC’s closing races, and an antenna pulls in the Fox and NBC broadcasts free.
Can I watch NASCAR on Amazon Prime Video?
Yes, during its window. Amazon Prime Video carries an exclusive stretch of Cup Series races in late spring, streaming to any device with a Prime membership. Those races are not on broadcast TV, so Prime Video is the only way to watch them.
Is the NASCAR race free to watch?
Partly. The Fox races at the start of the season and the NBC races in the fall air on broadcast networks that are free over the air with an antenna. The FS1, TNT, USA, Prime Video, and Max portions all require a subscription.
What time do NASCAR races start?
Most Cup Series races start on Sunday afternoon Eastern, often around 2pm or 3pm ET, with some Saturday night races and occasional midweek events. The exact start time and network for each race are listed on the official NASCAR schedule.
Last updated: May 2026. We refresh this guide as the NASCAR season and its broadcast windows change.