For anyone who's asking, "What channel is the NASCAR race on today?" the answer is one viewers will get most times in the closing weeks of the season.
The channel for Sunday's Cup Series playoff race, the Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500, is NBC. The NBC family of networks is airing all of the remaining Cup Series races in 2021, and NBC will show Sunday's race — the first race in the Round of 8 — from Texas Motor Speedway.
NBC will air three of the four remaining playoff races in 2021, starting with the Texas race. NBC Sports Network will air the other playoff race on Oct. 24 from Kansas Speedway.
Below is all you need to know about the schedule for Sunday's playoff race, including the TV coverage and start time.
MORE: Watch today's NASCAR race live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)
What channel is NASCAR on today?
- TV channel: NBC (TSN in Canada)
- Live stream: NBC Sports.com | NBC Sports App | Peacock | fuboTV (7-day free trial)
- Radio: PRN
NBC's programming will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET with the "Countdown to Green" prerace show hosted by Marty Snider with Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Brad Daugherty. Rick Allen will handle the play-by-play call of the race. Earnhardt, Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte will provide analysis.
Snider, Kelli Stavast and Parker Kligerman will be the pit reporters. Daugherty will contribute additional reporting trackside.
What time does the NASCAR race start today?
- Race: Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500
- Date: Sunday, Oct. 17
- Time: 2 p.m. ET (TV time)
The green flag for Sunday's NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on Texas Motor Speedway's 1.5-mile intermediate track is scheduled to drop at 2:08 p.m. ET (1:08 p.m. CT) Sunday. The track has lights, so the race can finish after sunset if there is a lengthy delay.
TEXAS LINEUP: Starting order, pole without qualifying
The race is expected to run under ideal weather conditions, however. The National Weather Service's Sunday forecast for Fort Worth, Texas, is for mostly sunny skies and a high temperature near 75 degrees. Winds will be calm to light.
NASCAR live stream for Texas race
Anyone who has a cable or satellite subscription can stream Sunday's NASCAR race at Texas live via NBCSports.com or the NBC Sports App.
For those who don't have a cable or satellite subscription, there are five over-the-top (OTT) TV streaming options that carry NBC and NBCSN — AT&T TV, fuboTV, Hulu, Sling and YouTubeTV.
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Below are links to each:
- AT&T TV
- fuboTV (7-day free trial)
- Hulu (7-day free trial)
- Sling
- YouTube TV (7-day free trial)
NBC has added another streaming element as NASCAR's playoffs draw to a close. The network's premium streaming service, Peacock, will show Sunday's race as well. This will be the first NASCAR race to be streamed on Peacock.
NASCAR Cup Series 2021 schedule
Below is the remaining schedule for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, starting with Sunday's Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 at Texas, the first race in the Round of 8.
NASCAR Cup Series 2021 playoffs Round of 8
| Date | Race | Track | Time (ET) | TV | Radio |
| Oct. 17 | Autotrader EchoPark Automotive 500 | Texas Motor Speedway | 2 p.m. | NBC | PRN |
| Oct. 24 | Hollywood Casino 400 | Kansas Speedway | 3 p.m. | NBCSN | MRN |
| Oct. 31 | Xfinity 500 | Martinsville Speedway | 2 p.m. | NBC | MRN |
NASCAR Cup Series 2021 playoffs Championship 4
| Date | Race | Track | Time (ET) | TV | Radio |
| Nov. 7 | NASCAR Cup Series Championship | Phoenix Raceway | 3 p.m. | NBC | MRN |