GUIDE: Where to watch NASCAR live on TV & Streaming
Huddle up petrol heads, it’s time to prepare for the NASCAR playoffs! What a season it has been so far, with Kyle Larson sitting pretty atop the standings thanks to 2040 points and 1088 laps led. It’s not just the cup series that you have to look forward to though, with the Xfinity Series and the Craftsman Truck Series also building towards an exciting finale. At this time of year, when every overtake, corner, and nail-biting finish is so crucial, you better be sure of how to tune into each and every moment. In this guide, we will break down all the television broadcasting information you need and make some recommendations for packages to consider.
NASCAR Cup Series
First, though, let’s do a quick refresher for anyone not fully tuned into the world of NASCAR. First up, we have the Cup Series, which is the creme-de-la-creme of motorsport in the United States. The best racers in the world battle it out all year long, across various tracks across the nation, testing themselves on short tracks, intermediate tracks, super speedways, and road courses. Their skill, combined with 670 horsepower V8 engines, ensures a thrilling ride, in every race.
NASCAR Xfinity Series
One step down from that you have the Xfinity Series, which is a stepping stone for drivers hoping to one day compete in the prestigious NASCAR Cup series. Whilst the Xfinity Series does race on the same circuits as the Cup Series, they cover fewer laps and the cars are slightly different.
NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series
Finally, you have the Craftsman Truck Series, which looks very different from the other main NASCAR series, primarily because the traditional race cars are traded in for purpose-built race pickup trucks. These races take place on super speedways, ovals, short tracks, and occasionally road courses.
NASCAR TV Broadcasting Channels
- Cup Series: FOX, FS1, NBC, and USA Network. Please note that any weather delays may push the live broadcasts onto FS2 and CNBC.
- Xfinity Series: FOX, FS1, NBC, and USA Network.
- Craftsman Truck Series: FS1
Whilst the Craftsman Truck Series remains on FS1 all season long, the NASCAR Cup and Xfinity Series move between channels throughout the season. Therefore, you will need access to all of them if you want to catch every race. It is also worth noting that die-hard fans will want access to FS2 in order to be able to watch comprehensive pre and post-race analysis and bonus coverage.
NASCAR Streaming Options
Official Apps and Platforms
The good news for racing fans is that most major television and streaming packages include the channels you need to enjoy every moment of the season. These range in price, but at the top end you have the following:
- fuboTV: $79.99 per month
- YouTube TV: $72.99 per month
- DirecTV Stream: $79.99 per month
- Hulu with Live TV: $76.99 per month
- SlingTV: $55 per month
These streaming services will not only sort you out for every race but also a whole host of other sports, entertainment, and news channels to enjoy. If you’re looking to upgrade your overall television viewing experience, then one of these would be best.
For those looking to get access to the NASCAR action on a budget, your only real option is to subscribe to Peacock. The with-ads service is just $5.99 a month or $59.99 a year, but it only allows you to watch the races shown on NBC, of which there are 10 for the 2024 season. However, fortunately, the majority of those races come at the end of the season, which just so happens to be now, running all the way through the playoffs. So, if you are looking for a cheap way to enjoy the remainder of the season, you’re in luck. Subscribe to Peacock now!
What else to consider when choosing your streaming service
Nowadays, the majority of television streaming services are fully compatible with a wide array of devices, from Apple TVs, Roku, and Smart TVs, to iPhones, tablets, game consoles, and more. It is always worth checking the fine print to make sure your device will work, but it is rare to find something that these streaming services don’t work with.
It is also worth checking the bonus features on each platform, to find whichever one suits you the best. For example, Hulu’s unlimited DVR might encourage you to go with them, whereas DirecTV’s 4k quality at no extra cost might be the tiebreaker you’re looking for.
Watching NASCAR on the move
If you are on the move, then the various streaming platforms, and individual channel hosts, all have apps that allow you to stay locked in. Whether you are a Fox Sports subscriber who is using the Fox Sports App to watch the races while traveling, or a Fubo TV subscriber who is keeping an eye on the race while at a family event, these services have you covered.
Please note though, you will only be able to use the app for the service you are subscribed to. So, if you have YouTube TV, you will only be able to use that app rather than the Fox Sports App, even if the race is on Fox Sports.
How to watch NASCAR for free
Prior to locking into one of these costly streaming services, why not make the most of their free trials? The offers do change from time to time, so it is always worth checking, but mostly these streaming services will offer a 5 or 7-day trial. For NASCAR fans, you can use the trial over a race weekend to enjoy the race for free. With multiple other services on offer as well, why not utilize multiple free trials, one after another, to give you a stretch of races for free? However, please make sure to cancel these free trials before they end, otherwise you will be hit by a hefty bill.
The other way to enjoy the races for free is to get an over-the-air antenna. Whilst this initially might set you back between $30 and $40 dollars, once it is yours, you can tune into the races shown on FOX and NBC for free, provided you live near their stations.
NASCAR Scheduling Information
Whilst the NASCAR website is a great place to go to see the full race schedule and list of previous winners, you can also rely on Livesportsontv.com to keep you up to date. Here, we will list all the NASCAR races, with up-to-date television listings, alongside a whole host of other sports.
Author: Venuse, Inc.