Why NASCAR is on NBC instead of Fox: What to know about TV channel change for second half of season

The NASCAR Cup Series underwent something of a facelift during its summer break. NASCAR's premier competition will return to action Sunday with the Ally 400, but when it does, it will be seen on a different family of networks.

After an entertaining opening 16 races on Fox channels, the Cup Series schedule will rotate between NBC and USA Network for the remainder of the year.

Fox has plenty of broadcast talent, with Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer and a rotating cast of guest analysts delivering numerous quotables over the course of its run.

NBC isn't lacking in on-screen ability, either. Rick Allen, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Jeff Burton will provide the soundtrack for the remaining regular-season races and all 10 playoff races. 

MORE: Watch the Ally 400 live with Fubo (free trial)

So, why NBC? The Sporting News details the switch:

Why NASCAR is on NBC instead of Fox

Money talks, and with two major broadcast corporations willing to spend it to secure broadcast rights, why shouldn't NASCAR get a slice from both?

NASCAR signed a 10-year, $8.8 billion agreement with Fox and NBC in 2015 to share the rights. That has proved profitable for both networks: Fox gets the Daytona 500, the crown jewel of NASCAR's calendar, while NBC airs more races and gets the season-deciding playoff race. A win-win, in every sense of the word.

The reason for the split in programming is a simple one: the NFL's shadow looms large over every American sport, none more than NASCAR, which from September to November shares its Sundays with the country's most popular pastime.

MORE: Starting order, pole for Ally 400 based on qualifying results

Fox airs NFL games throughout day on Sundays. NBC broadcasts just one game per week: "Sunday Night Football."

By turning to NBC to air races as the Cup Series approaches the solar eclipse that is the NFL regular season, all three entities — Fox, NBC and NASCAR — win.

If everybody wins, everybody eats. NASCAR's contract with the networks runs out in 2024. But if last year's numbers are any indication — last year's Cup Series slate averaged 3.06 million viewers per race, per The Athletic's Bill Shea — there will plenty of interest from all parties to thrash out an agreement sooner rather than later.

What channel is the NASCAR race on today?

• TV channel: NBC (U.S.) | TSN5 (Canada)
• Live stream: Peacock, Fubo

The Ally 400 will be broadcast on NBC in the United States. Canadian viewers can follow the action on TSN5.

Sunday's race represents the first one to be aired away from Fox's family of networks this season. NBC will handle the coverage for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs.

Veteran broadcaster Rick Allen will lead NBC's coverage, serving as the race's lap-by-lap announcer. He'll be joined in the booth by Jeff Burton, Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Steve Letarte.

Fans can stream the race online via Peacock or Fubo, which offers a free trial.

NASCAR start time today

• Date: Sunday, June 25
• Start time: 7 p.m. ET

Sunday's race has a 7 p.m. ET listed start time, but pre-race activities are expected to push the waving of the green flag back to 7:22 p.m. ET.

NASCAR schedule 2023: Regular-season races

(All times Eastern)

NASCAR schedule 2023: Playoff races

(All times Eastern)

Fans in Canada can watch all NASCAR races on TSN.