The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series uses four main broadcast windows: FOX Sports opens the year, Prime Video carries five exclusive races, TNT Sports handles five summer races, and NBC Sports presents the final 14 events. The schedule begins with the exhibition Cook Out Clash on February 1, while the points-paying season starts with the Daytona 500 on February 15. The championship concludes November 8 at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Quick Answer
Watch 2026 NASCAR Cup races on FOX, FS1, Prime Video, TNT, USA Network, NBC, Peacock, truTV, and HBO Max. Prime Video carried five exclusive races from May 24 through June 21. TNT’s five-race run ends July 26, and NBC Sports takes over August 9 through the November 8 championship.
Key Takeaways
- FOX and FS1 carried the opening portion of the Cup season, including the Clash, Daytona 500, and All-Star Race.
- Prime Video exclusively streamed five points races from Charlotte through San Diego.
- TNT, truTV, and HBO Max carry the five-race In-Season Challenge from June 28 through July 26.
- NBC Sports presents the final 14 races, but only four NBC races are simulcast on Peacock; the other 10 air on USA Network.
- The Championship 4 no longer exists. NASCAR uses a 16-driver, 10-race Chase with no eliminations in 2026.
Where to Watch NASCAR in 2026
The NASCAR Cup Series moves between several broadcasters during the year. Knowing the handoff dates is the easiest way to find each race.
| Season window | Main race platform | What to know |
|---|---|---|
| February 1–May 17 | FOX or FS1 | Includes the Clash, Daytona 500, and All-Star Race. |
| May 24–June 21 | Prime Video | Five exclusive Cup races requiring Prime Video access. |
| June 28–July 26 | TNT, truTV, and HBO Max | Five-race In-Season Challenge with Driver Cam and Multiview features on supported HBO Max plans and devices. |
| August 9–November 8 | USA Network or NBC | Four NBC races are also on Peacock. The remaining 10 races air on USA Network. |
Note: Start times below are listed in Eastern Time and come from NASCAR’s announced schedule. Pre-race programs may begin earlier. Weather, track conditions, or programming changes can move a start time, so confirm the weekly listing on the official NASCAR Cup Series schedule.
2026 NASCAR Cup Series TV Schedule
The table includes the Cup Series exhibition events, Daytona qualifying races, 36 points-paying races, and the championship broadcast platform.
| Date | Race or track | Platform | Start, ET |
|---|---|---|---|
| Feb. 1 | Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium — exhibition | FOX | 8 p.m. |
| Feb. 12 | Daytona Duels — qualifying races | FS1 | 7 p.m. |
| Feb. 15 | Daytona 500 | FOX | 2:30 p.m. |
| Feb. 22 | EchoPark Speedway | FOX | 3 p.m. |
| March 1 | Circuit of the Americas | FOX | 3:30 p.m. |
| March 8 | Phoenix Raceway | FS1 | 3:30 p.m. |
| March 15 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 4 p.m. |
| March 22 | Darlington Raceway | FS1 | 3 p.m. |
| March 29 | Martinsville Speedway | FS1 | 3:30 p.m. |
| April 12 | Bristol Motor Speedway | FS1 | 3 p.m. |
| April 19 | Kansas Speedway | FOX | 2 p.m. |
| April 26 | Talladega Superspeedway | FOX | 3 p.m. |
| May 3 | Texas Motor Speedway | FS1 | 3:30 p.m. |
| May 10 | Watkins Glen International | FS1 | 3 p.m. |
| May 17 | All-Star Race at Dover Motor Speedway — exhibition | FS1 | 3 p.m. |
| May 24 | Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway | Prime Video | 6 p.m. |
| May 31 | Nashville Superspeedway | Prime Video | 7 p.m. |
| June 7 | Michigan International Speedway | Prime Video | 3 p.m. |
| June 14 | Pocono Raceway | Prime Video | 3 p.m. |
| June 21 | San Diego at Naval Base Coronado | Prime Video | 4 p.m. |
| June 28 | Sonoma Raceway | TNT, truTV, HBO Max | 3:30 p.m. |
| July 5 | Chicagoland Speedway | TNT, truTV, HBO Max | 6 p.m. |
| July 12 | EchoPark Speedway | TNT, truTV, HBO Max | 7 p.m. |
| July 19 | North Wilkesboro Speedway | TNT, truTV, HBO Max | 7 p.m. |
| July 26 | Brickyard 400 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway | TNT, truTV, HBO Max | 2 p.m. |
| Aug. 9 | Iowa Speedway | USA Network | 3:30 p.m. |
| Aug. 15 | Richmond Raceway | USA Network | 7 p.m. |
| Aug. 23 | New Hampshire Motor Speedway | USA Network | 3 p.m. |
| Aug. 29 | Daytona International Speedway — regular-season finale | NBC and Peacock | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 6 | Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway — Chase opener | USA Network | 5 p.m. |
| Sept. 13 | World Wide Technology Raceway | USA Network | 3 p.m. |
| Sept. 19 | Bristol Motor Speedway | USA Network | 7:30 p.m. |
| Sept. 27 | Kansas Speedway | USA Network | 3 p.m. |
| Oct. 4 | Las Vegas Motor Speedway | USA Network | 5:30 p.m. |
| Oct. 11 | Charlotte Motor Speedway Roval | USA Network | 3 p.m. |
| Oct. 18 | Phoenix Raceway | USA Network | 3 p.m. |
| Oct. 25 | Talladega Superspeedway | NBC and Peacock | 2 p.m. |
| Nov. 1 | Martinsville Speedway | NBC and Peacock | 2 p.m. |
| Nov. 8 | NASCAR Championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway | NBC and Peacock | 3 p.m. |
FOX and FS1 NASCAR Coverage
FOX Sports carried the first 14 Cup events, starting with the February 1 Clash and ending with the May 17 All-Star Race. The Daytona 500, EchoPark, COTA, Kansas, and Talladega races aired on FOX, while the other events in the window were assigned to FS1.
FOX and FS1 streams are available through participating television providers. FOX also directs connected-TV viewers to FOX One, which can be used with an eligible provider login or a direct FOX One subscription.
Local FOX availability may vary by market. Before subscribing to a live-TV streaming bundle, enter your ZIP code and confirm that the service carries your local FOX station as well as FS1.
Prime Video’s Five Exclusive NASCAR Races
Prime Video exclusively streamed five consecutive Cup races in 2026:
- May 24: Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte Motor Speedway
- May 31: Nashville Superspeedway
- June 7: Michigan International Speedway
- June 14: Pocono Raceway
- June 21: San Diego at Naval Base Coronado
These races were not traditional FOX, FS1, TNT, NBC, or USA telecasts. Viewers needed Prime Video access. Amazon also offered pre-race coverage, post-race analysis, replays, rapid recaps, and other viewing features. Details are available in Amazon’s official 2026 NASCAR on Prime guide.
TNT, HBO Max, and the In-Season Challenge
TNT Sports’ five-race window runs from Sonoma on June 28 through the Brickyard 400 on July 26. The races are available through TNT Sports platforms, including TNT, truTV, and HBO Max.
These five events also form the 2026 NASCAR In-Season Challenge. Thirty-two drivers entered a head-to-head bracket. The better-finishing driver in each matchup advanced until the final pairing at Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
- June 28: Sonoma Raceway
- July 5: Chicagoland Speedway
- July 12: EchoPark Speedway
- July 19: North Wilkesboro Speedway
- July 26: Indianapolis Motor Speedway
HBO Max offers a synchronized Driver Cam for each driver during the TNT race window on supported devices. Available features can include team-radio audio, in-car sound, race alerts, and several Multiview choices. Plan and device support can differ, so check the service before race day.
Pro Tip: Use the main TNT race feed for commentary and keep a Driver Cam or Multiview stream open on a second device. This makes it easier to follow your favorite driver without missing the leaders, cautions, or pit-cycle changes.
NBC, USA Network, and Peacock Coverage
NBC Sports begins its 14-race Cup window on August 9 at Iowa Speedway and continues through the November 8 championship at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
Ten races air on USA Network. Four races air on NBC and are simulcast on Peacock:
- August 29: Daytona International Speedway
- October 25: Talladega Superspeedway
- November 1: Martinsville Speedway
- November 8: Homestead-Miami Speedway
Warning: A Peacock subscription does not provide every race in the NBC Sports portion of the season. You still need access to USA Network for the 10 races assigned to USA.
USA Network is available through many cable, satellite, and live-TV streaming services. Channel lineups vary, so verify USA, NBC, and your local NBC station before paying for a package.
Best Ways to Watch NASCAR Without Cable
No single subscription carries every 2026 Cup race. A complete cable-free setup may require more than one service because Prime Video has exclusive races and the remaining schedule is split among FOX Sports, TNT Sports, and NBC Sports.
- FOX and FS1 races: Use FOX One or a live-TV service carrying your local FOX station and FS1.
- Prime Video races: Use Prime Video for the five exclusive races from May 24 through June 21.
- TNT races: Use a service carrying TNT and truTV, or an eligible HBO Max plan that includes the live race coverage.
- USA Network races: Use a live-TV package carrying USA Network.
- NBC races: Use an antenna or service carrying your local NBC station. The four NBC Cup races are also streamed on Peacock.
Services such as Hulu + Live TV, YouTube TV, DirecTV Stream, Sling TV, and Fubo may carry some or most of the required cable channels. Their prices and lineups change, and local FOX or NBC access is not guaranteed in every market.
Check each service’s ZIP-code tool before subscribing. A package that includes FS1 and USA may still lack your local FOX or NBC station.
Practice, Qualifying, and Race Replays
Race rights and practice or qualifying rights are not always held by the same platform.
- Prime Video carries first-half Cup practice and qualifying, except for the Clash, Daytona 500, and All-Star Race weekends retained by FOX Sports.
- HBO Max and truTV carry second-half Cup practice and qualifying.
- FOX Sports handles practice and qualifying for the Clash, Daytona 500, and All-Star Race.
- Race replays depend on the broadcaster and subscription. Prime Video, FOX platforms, HBO Max, and Peacock may retain eligible events for on-demand viewing.
NASCAR also publishes a weekly viewing guide with updated practice, qualifying, race, and studio-show listings. This is useful when a weather delay or programming change affects the original schedule.
The 2026 NASCAR Chase Replaces the Championship 4
NASCAR ended the elimination-style Championship 4 system before the 2026 season. The Cup Series now uses a modified Chase based on points over the final 10 races.
A Cup race win is worth 55 points in 2026, and the driver with the most Chase points after the Homestead-Miami finale wins the championship.
Here is how the 2026 Cup championship works:
- The top 16 drivers in points after the August 29 regular-season finale at Daytona qualify for the Chase.
- A race win does not automatically qualify a driver. The former “win and in” rule is gone.
- Chase points are reset once according to each qualifying driver’s regular-season position.
- The regular-season champion begins with 2,100 points, 25 more than the second seed.
- There are no round-by-round eliminations.
- All 16 Chase drivers remain eligible throughout the 10-race postseason.
- The driver with the most points after the November 8 Homestead-Miami race becomes champion.
The official NASCAR Chase guide explains the full seeding and points structure.
How NASCAR Race Stages and Broadcast Timing Work
Most Cup races are divided into stages. Drivers in the top 10 at the end of the opening stages receive points, from 10 points for first place down to one point for 10th. These points count toward the regular-season standings and the Chase.
Stage breaks also create strategy decisions. Teams may pit before a stage ends to gain track position for the next segment, while other drivers stay out to collect stage points. Fuel range, tire wear, cautions, and track type can all change the best choice.
The time shown on the schedule is the announced race time, not always the start of the full television program. Pre-race coverage may begin 30 minutes or more before the command to start engines.
Rain, lightning, track-drying work, overtime, and red flags can delay a start or extend a race. Check the official NASCAR schedule and the broadcaster’s live listing on race day rather than relying only on an older calendar entry.
Key NASCAR Races and Events in 2026
- Cook Out Clash — February 1: The Bowman Gray exhibition opened Cup activity but did not award regular-season championship points.
- Daytona 500 — February 15: The points-paying Cup season began with NASCAR’s best-known race.
- San Diego — June 21: Prime Video carried the inaugural Cup race at Naval Base Coronado.
- North Wilkesboro — July 19: The track hosted its first points-paying Cup race since 1996.
- Brickyard 400 — July 26: Indianapolis hosts the final round of the TNT In-Season Challenge.
- Daytona — August 29: The regular-season finale determines the 16 drivers who advance to the Chase.
- Southern 500 — September 6: Darlington opens the 10-race Chase on USA Network.
- NASCAR Championship — November 8: Homestead-Miami hosts the season finale on NBC and Peacock.
Frequently Asked Questions
What channels carry NASCAR Cup races in 2026?
Cup races are split among FOX, FS1, Prime Video, TNT, truTV, HBO Max, USA Network, NBC, and Peacock. The platform changes during the season, so check the race-by-race schedule rather than assuming one channel carries every event.
Did Kyle Larson make the 2026 Championship 4?
There is no Championship 4 in 2026. NASCAR replaced that format with a 16-driver, 10-race Chase that has no eliminations. As of July 20, the final Chase field had not been set because the regular season continues through August 29 at Daytona.
What changed for NASCAR in 2026?
Major changes include the return of the Chase, removal of the Championship 4 and “win and in” rules, a 55-point award for race winners, a points-paying North Wilkesboro race, Chicagoland’s return, the San Diego race at Naval Base Coronado, and Homestead-Miami hosting the championship finale.
Will NASCAR be on NBC or Peacock in 2026?
Four Cup races air on NBC and Peacock: Daytona on August 29, Talladega on October 25, Martinsville on November 1, and Homestead-Miami on November 8. The other 10 races in NBC Sports’ portion of the schedule air on USA Network and are not included through Peacock alone.
Which NASCAR races were exclusive to Prime Video?
Prime Video exclusively streamed Charlotte on May 24, Nashville on May 31, Michigan on June 7, Pocono on June 14, and San Diego on June 21.
Does HBO Max show every NASCAR Cup race?
No. HBO Max carries the TNT Sports race window and offers Driver Cam and Multiview features for those five races. It also carries second-half practice and qualifying with truTV, but FOX, Prime Video, USA Network, and NBC retain their assigned Cup race rights.
Conclusion
The 2026 NASCAR Cup schedule is easier to follow when you divide it into four broadcast windows. FOX Sports opens the season, Prime Video carries five exclusive races, TNT Sports presents the summer In-Season Challenge, and NBC Sports handles the final 14 events. Remember that Peacock carries only the four NBC races, while the other 10 late-season races require USA Network access.
The championship format also changed. Instead of a Championship 4, the top 16 regular-season drivers enter a 10-race Chase with no eliminations. The driver with the most points after the November 8 finale at Homestead-Miami becomes the 2026 Cup Series champion.
Sources
- NASCAR: 2026 national-series start times and networks — official Cup race dates, platforms, and announced start times.
- NASCAR: The Chase 101 — 2026 postseason qualification, seeding, points, and championship rules.
- NASCAR: How to watch on NBC, USA Network, and Peacock — late-season network assignments and Peacock simulcasts.
- Amazon: How to watch NASCAR on Prime Video — the five exclusive Prime Video races and streaming features.
- Warner Bros. Discovery: 2026 TNT Sports NASCAR coverage — TNT race dates, HBO Max Driver Cam, Multiview, and qualifying coverage.
- FOX Sports: FOX One streaming FAQ — FOX Sports access on connected TVs, mobile devices, and the web.
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