What time does the NASCAR race start today? TV schedule, channel for Martinsville playoff race

For anyone who’s asking “What time is the NASCAR race today?” the answer is that the green flag will drop around the time NASCAR has started most of its Cup Series races in 2021.

The Cup Series is at Martinsville Speedway this weekend for the Xfinity 500. It’s the final race in the Round of 8, meaning it will decide the Championship 4 field. The 500-lap, 263-mile event on Martinsville’s 0.526-mile short track will begin in the afternoon.

Daytime racing has been the norm for NASCAR’s Cup Series this year, and the trend will continue through the season finale next weekend at Phoenix.  

Below is all you need to know about the schedule for the Xfinity 500 at Martinsville Speedway:

MORE: Watch today’s NASCAR race live with fuboTV (7-day free trial)

What time does the NASCAR race start today?

• Race: Xfinity 500
• Date: Sunday, Oct. 31
• Time: 2 p.m. ET (TV time)

The green flag for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series playoff race on Martinsville Speedway’s 0.526-mile short track is scheduled to drop at 2:12 p.m. ET Sunday. The track has lights, so the race can finish after sunset if there is a delay.

MARTINSVILLE LINEUP: Starting order, pole without qualifying

Weather conditions should ensure an on-time start. The National Weather Service forecast for Ridgeway, Va., where Martinsville Speedway is located, is for mostly sunny skies and a high temperature near 65 degrees. Winds could gust as high as 20 mph, however.

What channel is NASCAR on today?

• TV channel: NBC (TSN5 in Canada)
• Live stream: NBC Sports.com | NBC Sports App | Peacock | fuboTV (7-day free trial)
• Radio: MRN

NBC’s programming will begin at 1:30 p.m. ET with the “Countdown to Green” prerace show hosted by Marty Snider with Kyle Petty and Dale Jarrett. Race coverage will begin at 2 p.m. Rick Allen will have the play-by-play call while Dale Earnhardt Jr., Jeff Burton and Steve Letarte will provide analysis.

Snider, Dave Burns, Parker Kligerman and Dillon Welch will be the pit reporters. Rutledge Wood will provide coverage as a specialty reporter.

NASCAR live stream for Martinsville race

Anyone who has a cable or satellite subscription can stream Sunday’s NASCAR race at Martinsville 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 — AT&T TV, fuboTV, Hulu, Sling and YouTubeTV.

Below are links to each:

NBC is televising the race, so it can also be streamed on the network’s premium service, Peacock. 

NASCAR Cup Series 2021 schedule

Below is the remaining schedule for the 2021 NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, starting with Sunday’s Xfinity 500 at Martinsville, the last race in the Round of 8.

NASCAR Cup Series 2021 playoffs Round of 8

NASCAR Cup Series 2021 playoffs Championship 4

MORE: NASCAR Cup Series playoffs, explained