What time does the NASCAR race start today? TV schedule, channel for 2022 Talladega playoff race

David Suggs

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What time does the NASCAR race start today? TV schedule, channel for 2022 Talladega playoff race image

The NASCAR Cup Series playoffs meet "The Big One" this weekend. That will make for an exciting affair.

LIVE: Follow the NASCAR Cup Series playoff race at Talladega

Things seem to go differently at Talladega Superspeedway. The mammoth 2.66-mile track certainly plays a part. More track means more places to race, which means more places to slide, spin and wreck.

It's challenging terrain for many, including Hendrick Motorsports' Kyle Larson. The driver of the No. 5 car hoisted the Cup Series hardware last year, but he has struggled mightily at 'Dega.

Larson has more bottom-five finishes (five) than top-five finishes (one). And although he looked far more resolute at the track earlier in the year, claiming fourth in the GEICO 500, the unpredictability of Talladega — and superspeedways in general — has given him fits.

It was these struggles that made Larson more frustrated with his showing at last week's race in Texas. He finished ninth in the race after burdened by issues on pit road, The result leaves him 16 points clear of the cut line for the Round of 8, not the worst position to be in but certainly not the best, either.

Given Larson's foibles at Talladega, he'll certainly be one to watch on Sunday. A clean race could be the difference between a spot in the Round of 8 and a premature exit, which seemed unlikely just a few weeks ago.

MORE: Watch NASCAR Cup Series races live with fuboTV (free trial)

Here's everything you need to know about Sunday's race, the YellaWood 500, including start time and broadcast information.

What time does the NASCAR race start?

  • Race: YellaWood 500
  • Date: Sunday, Oct. 2
  • Start time: 2 p.m. ET

The YellaWood 500 is listed to start at 2 p.m., although the green flag is scheduled to wave at 2:04 p.m. ET.

What channel is NASCAR on today?

  • TV channel: NBC (U.S.) | TSN3 (Canada)
  • Live stream: Peacock, fuboTV
  • Radio: MRN, SiriusXM NASCAR Radio

Sunday's race will be broadcast on NBC in the United States. Canadian viewers can follow the action on TSN3.

Leading the way for NBC's coverage is Rick Allen, who will handle all the lap-by-lap call. He'll be joined by longtime Cup Series driver Jeff Burton, NASCAR Hall of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Daytona 500-winning crew chief Steve Letarte.

MORE: Who are the Round of 12 drivers?

Those without cable can find Sunday's race on Peacock, as well as fuboTV, which offers a free trial.

NASCAR schedule 2022: Playoff races

(All times Eastern)

Date Race Track Start time TV channel Radio
Oct. 2 YellaWood 500 Talladega Superspeedway 2 p.m. NBC MRN
Oct. 9 Bank of America ROVAL 400 Charlotte Motor Speedway ROVAL 2 p.m. NBC PRN
Oct. 16 South Point 400 Las Vegas Motor Speedway 2:30 p.m. NBC PRN
Oct. 23 Dixie Vodka 400 Homestead-Miami Speedway 2:30 p.m. NBC MRN
Oct. 30 Xfinity 500 Martinsville Speedway 2 p.m. NBC MRN
Nov. 6 NASCAR Cup Series Championship Phoenix Raceway 3 p.m. NBC MRN

Viewers in Canada can watch on TSN.

David Suggs

David Suggs Photo

David Suggs is a content producer at The Sporting News. A long-suffering Everton, Wizards and Commanders fan, he has learned to get used to losing over the years. In his free time, he enjoys skateboarding (poorly), listening to the likes of Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye and D’Angelo, and penning short journal entries.