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NASCAR Race Today Live – Times, Channels and Viewing Guide

Liam Owen Mercer Mitchell • 2026-04-05 • Reviewed by Daniel Mercer

No NASCAR Cup Series competition is scheduled for Sunday, April 5, 2026. The premier division is on hiatus this weekend, with sanctioned racing limited to support series events at Rockingham Speedway.

The ARCA Menards Series opens the morning card at 11:30 AM ET, followed by the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at 2:30 PM ET. Both events offer live television and radio coverage for viewers following remotely.

Cup Series racing resumes next Sunday, April 12, when the field converges on Bristol Motor Speedway for the first short-track event of the season. That race will air on FS1 and FOX One at 3:00 PM ET.

What Time Is the NASCAR Race Today?

Today’s racing action begins mid-morning Eastern Time and extends through mid-afternoon. While the Cup Series is idle, two NASCAR-sanctioned events provide live competition from North Carolina.

ARCA Menards Series

Rockingham Speedway

11:30 AM ET

NASCAR Channel, MRN, SiriusXM

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

Rockingham Speedway

2:30 PM ET

The CW Network

Next Cup Series Race

Bristol Motor Speedway

April 12, 3:00 PM ET

FS1, FOX One

Prime Video Exclusives

Select Cup Races

Beginning May 24

Amazon Prime Video

  • The NASCAR Cup Series is not competing today; the next event is scheduled for April 12 at Bristol Motor Speedway.
  • ARCA Menards Series competition begins at 11:30 AM ET with live coverage on the NASCAR Channel.
  • The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series follows at 2:30 PM ET on broadcast television via The CW Network.
  • Both Rockingham events are available via radio broadcast on MRN and SiriusXM.
  • Upcoming Prime Video exclusives begin with the Coca-Cola 600 on May 24, 2026.
  • All listed times reflect Eastern Time; adjust for local time zones accordingly.
Event Detail Today’s Specification
Date Sunday, April 5, 2026
Primary Event ARCA Menards Series
Secondary Event NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series
Venue Rockingham Speedway, North Carolina
ARCA Start Time 11:30 AM ET
O’Reilly Series Start Time 2:30 PM ET
ARCA Broadcast NASCAR Channel, MRN, SiriusXM
O’Reilly Series Broadcast The CW Network
Next Cup Race April 12, 2026, Bristol Motor Speedway

How Can I Watch the NASCAR Race Live Today?

Live viewing options vary by series and platform availability. Today’s ARCA Menards Series requires specialized racing channels or radio access, while the afternoon O’Reilly Auto Parts Series airs on broadcast television.

Digital Streaming Platforms

Cord-cutters can access today’s races through several subscription services. YouTube TV carries FOX, FS1, NBC, and USA Network, offering free trial periods for new subscribers. Fubo, DIRECTV STREAM, and Hulu + Live TV also provide packages including these channels.

Peacock streams select NBC races later in the season. Sling Blue offers FS1 and USA Network but lacks local broadcast affiliates. For today’s ARCA coverage specifically, the NASCAR Channel streaming availability depends on individual carrier agreements.

Streaming Package Note

YouTube TV, Fubo, and Hulu + Live TV currently carry the networks broadcasting today’s CW afternoon event. Most services offer seven-day free trials for immediate access without long-term commitments.

Traditional Television Access

The O’Reilly Auto Parts Series airs on The CW Network, available over-the-air in most markets and through basic cable packages. The ARCA Menards Series morning broadcast is restricted to the NASCAR Channel, available through select cable providers and motorsports-specific streaming add-ons.

What Channel Is the NASCAR Race on Today?

Channel availability depends on your local market and subscription tier. Today’s dual-header requires different networks for each event.

ARCA Menards Series Coverage

The 11:30 AM ET race airs exclusively on the NASCAR Channel. MRN radio coverage is available for listeners without television access, also streaming on SiriusXM satellite radio channel 90.

O’Reilly Auto Parts Series Broadcast

The 2:30 PM ET event broadcasts on The CW Network. This over-the-air channel is available without cable in most metropolitan areas. FOX Sports serves as the primary broadcast partner for NASCAR coverage, though today’s specific event airs on the CW affiliate.

Is There a NASCAR Race Today and Where?

Racing is occurring today at Rockingham Speedway in North Carolina, though the Cup Series is not participating. The historic track hosts a doubleheader featuring developmental and support series.

Cup Series Hiatus

No NASCAR Cup Series race is scheduled for April 5, 2026. The premier division last competed at Las Vegas on March 8, 2026, and will return to action at Bristol Motor Speedway on April 12.

Viewing Limitations

No confirmed free legal streams exist for live NASCAR Cup Series races. While some support series air on over-the-air networks like The CW, Cup events generally require cable, satellite, or paid streaming subscriptions.

Support Series Action

Rockingham Speedway marks its return to the NASCAR calendar with today’s events. The track hosts both the ARCA Menards Series and the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, providing racing action for fans seeking live motorsports content during the Cup off-weekend.

Track Return

Rockingham Speedway’s inclusion on today’s schedule represents the track’s return to NASCAR-sanctioned racing. The North Carolina venue hosts both the morning ARCA event and the afternoon O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race.

Upcoming NASCAR Weekend Schedule

The racing calendar extends beyond today’s events with a full schedule leading into next week’s Cup Series return. Broadcast schedules confirm the following sequence:

  1. Today, April 5: ARCA Menards Series at Rockingham Speedway, 11:30 AM ET (NASCAR Channel, MRN, SiriusXM)
  2. Today, April 5: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Rockingham Speedway, 2:30 PM ET (The CW)
  3. Friday, April 10: NASCAR Truck Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, 7:30 PM ET (FS1, FOX One)
  4. Saturday, April 11: NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, 7:30 PM ET (The CW)
  5. Sunday, April 12: NASCAR Cup Series at Bristol Motor Speedway, 3:00 PM ET (FS1, FOX One)

Confirmed Schedule Details and Outstanding Questions

Established Information

  • April 5 ARCA race starts at 11:30 AM ET
  • April 5 O’Reilly Series starts at 2:30 PM ET
  • Next Cup race is April 12 at 3:00 PM ET
  • Rockingham is today’s venue
  • No Cup race today

Information Remaining Unclear

  • Specific practice times for April 12 Bristol Cup race
  • Qualifying schedule for upcoming Cup events
  • Weather contingency plans for Rockingham
  • Entry lists for today’s support races

Rockingham Speedway’s Return to the Calendar

Today’s doubleheader at Rockingham Speedway marks the facility’s reintroduction to NASCAR-sanctioned competition. The North Carolina track, known for its high banks and abrasive surface, provides a challenging venue for developing drivers in the ARCA and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

The venue’s return fills a gap in the schedule for fans seeking live racing during the Cup Series off-weekend. Official NASCAR sources confirm the track’s inclusion as part of the 2026 support series calendar, though specific historical context regarding the track’s last NASCAR event was not detailed in available scheduling data.

Data Sources and Verification

No NASCAR Cup Series race is scheduled for today, Sunday, April 5, 2026. The nearest events include ARCA Menards Series at 11:30 AM ET on NASCAR Channel/MRN/SiriusXM and NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series at 2:30 PM ET on CW at Rockingham Speedway.

— Sports Media Watch Television Schedule

ESPN provides general NASCAR coverage, schedules, and highlights but no today-specific live details.

ESPN Racing

Schedule Summary

Sunday, April 5, 2026 offers no NASCAR Cup Series racing, instead featuring ARCA Menards Series and O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events at Rockingham Speedway. Viewers can watch the morning ARCA race on the NASCAR Channel and the afternoon O’Reilly Series event on The CW Network. For those planning future viewing, the How to Watch the Super Bowl – Channel, Streams & Free Options guide provides additional context on accessing major sporting events through various platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who won the NASCAR race today?

Race results are unavailable as the events are scheduled for April 5, 2026. Check official NASCAR sources following the conclusion of today’s races at Rockingham Speedway.

Is there a free NASCAR live stream today?

No confirmed free legal streams exist for today’s events. The afternoon O’Reilly Auto Parts Series airs on The CW, available over-the-air with an antenna without subscription fees.

What channel is the ARCA race on today?

The ARCA Menards Series race at Rockingham airs on the NASCAR Channel with radio coverage on MRN and SiriusXM channel 90.

What time does the Truck Series race start today?

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race starts at 2:30 PM ET today. The NASCAR Truck Series returns on Friday, April 10 at Bristol Motor Speedway at 7:30 PM ET.

Where is the next NASCAR Cup Series race?

The next Cup Series race is scheduled for Sunday, April 12, 2026, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Tennessee, starting at 3:00 PM ET on FS1 and FOX One.

How can I listen to NASCAR racing today?

Today’s ARCA race is available on MRN radio and SiriusXM channel 90. For additional gaming and entertainment guides, see the Story of Seasons Grand Bazaar – Beginner’s Guide and Tips.

Liam Owen Mercer Mitchell

About the author

Liam Owen Mercer Mitchell

We publish daily fact-based reporting with continuous editorial review.