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Ways to watch the 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race without cost: Schedule, format

May 17, 2026

Today’s NASCAR All-Star Race presents a whopping $1 million prize. This year marks the race’s debut at Dover Motor Speedway in Delaware, a significant moment in its 42-year history. The new format introduces a blend of high-stakes exhibition features with traditional racing elements. Notably, all 36 cars will be on the starting grid, a shift from past events.

Denny Hamlin, who previously finished as a runner-up in the Cup Series twice, will start from pole position. He actually won the All-Star race in 2025 from this same spot, which might give him a bit of confidence, I think.

NASCAR All-Star Race Details

When: May 17th at 1:00 PM ET
Where: Dover Motor Speedway (Dover, Delaware)
Channel: FS1
Streaming: DIRECTV (with a free trial option)

Keep reading for all the essential info about the All-Star Race, including start times and the new race format.

Start Time

The 2026 NASCAR All-Star Race kicks off today at 1:00 PM ET.

Broadcast Information

You can catch the race on Fox Sports 1 (FS1).

Free Streaming Options

If you’re not a cable subscriber, you’ll need a live TV streaming service. One option is a free trial with DIRECTV, which includes FS1. Their current Choice package offers a discount for the first three months. Afterward, it’s priced at $94.99 per month.

Alternatively, you can watch for free using Fubo TV’s Sports + News package, which comes with a five-day free trial and costs $45.99 for the first month.

Race Format

The race will begin with all 36 cars starting based on qualifying results. The first segment will last 75 laps without any competition cautions. After the first segment, the top 26 cars will advance to the next 75-lap segment, with the winner of Segment 1 starting 26th. The driver finishing in 26th will take pole position while positions 27 to 36 stay in their spots.

Segment 3, also referred to as the Money Round, will trim the field down from 36 to 26 cars. Nineteen drivers will automatically qualify based on their 2025-2026 Cup race wins, past All-Star wins, and former championships. The other six spots will be filled by the highest combined finishers from the first two segments, plus one spot from the All-Star fan vote.

The remaining 26 drivers will then compete for 200 laps, with a caution flag thrown around the 75th lap to regroup the racers. The victor will take home the hefty $1 million prize.