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How to Watch the Daytona 500

How to Watch the Daytona 500 for Free in 2024: Livestream the NASCAR Cup Series from Anywhere

Looking for a way to livestream the “Greatest American Race?” Read on to learn how to watch Daytona 500 with cable and streaming services. We’ll also show you to livestream the iconic race from anywhere with a VPN.

Samson KiarieAleksandar Kochovski

Written by Samson Kiarie (Writer)

Reviewed by Aleksandar Kochovski (Editor)

Last Updated: 2024-03-12T08:36:00+00:00

All our content is written fully by humans; we do not publish AI writing. Learn more here.

After the Busch Light Clash, attention now turns to the Daytona 500 — the second NASCAR Cup Series race of 2023. Martin Truex Jr. won the first race and will be looking to repeat the same feat in Daytona Beach. If you won’t be at the Daytona International Speedway, keep reading to learn how to watch the Daytona 500 race with a streaming service.  

Key Takeaways: Livestream the Daytona 500

  • The Daytona 500 Cup Series race is available on FOX Sports. If you’re in the U.S., you can also watch the race on live TV streaming services that carry FOX, such as Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV.
  • You can watch the Daytona 500 race for free by using the free trials available with fuboTV, Sling TV or YouTube TV.
  • If you’re traveling abroad, you’ll need a VPN to access the streaming services and livestream the Daytona 500 race. ExpressVPN is the best Daytona streaming VPN service

Alex Bowman earned pole position for the Daytona 500, while Kyle Larson will join the front row. Meanwhile, Truex Jr. will square it off with other accomplished drivers like Denny Hamlin, who’s chasing down a historic fourth win at Daytona 500. Rookie Austin Cindric clinched his first Daytona 500 title in 2022 and is looking to become the third active driver to win multiple titles.

We found some interesting streaming options to follow the race from start to finish without interruption. We’ve got a list of streaming services for cord-cutters, including free options via trials. Read on to learn why you might need the best VPN to access some of the streaming options. It will be a sizzling race you can’t afford to miss.

How to Watch the Daytona 500: Start Time & Date

The green flag will drop on the Daytona 500 race at 2:30 p.m. ET on Sunday, Feb. 19, 2023. Two qualifying races will take place on Wednesday and Thursday in the lead-up to the main race at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Here are the key details about the Daytona cup series race:

  • Daytona 500 date: Sunday, February 19, 2023
  • Daytona 500 start time: 2:30 p.m. ET
  • Pre-race show start time: 12:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: Daytona Beach, Florida
  • Pre-race show performance: Dierks Bentley
  • National Anthem by: Breland 

The Daytona International Speedway is a 2.5-mile race course. This is a 200-lap race, meaning the 40 drivers will compete over 500 miles, hence the name Daytona 500.

Before the race, motor racing fans will be treated to a pre-race show, where Breland will sing the national anthem and 14-time Grammy-nominated entertainer Dierks Bentley will fire up NASCAR fans for the race with a headlining set.

How to Watch the Daytona 500

FOX will broadcast the 65th annual Daytona 500 race live on its network. You can also livestream the Daytona 500 race on the FOX Sports app. This option will work best if you want to watch the race on your Android or iOS mobile device. Remember that you’ll need a subscription with a TV provider to watch the race on the FOX Sports app.

You can also livestream the race on any streaming service that carries FOX, such as Hulu + Live TV, fuboTV, Sling TV, YouTube TV and DirecTV. As far as streaming devices go, these livestreaming services should work on Fire TV, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast, Android TV and mobile devices (Android and iOS).

Where to Watch the Daytona 500 Without Cable

If you don’t have a cable subscription, worry not. There are several live-streaming services you can subscribe to watch FOX Sports.

  • Hulu + Live TV — $69.99 per month
  • fuboTV — From $74.99 per month; free trial available
  • Sling TV — From $40 per month; free trial available
  • YouTube TV — $64.99 per month; free trial available
  • DirecTV Stream — From $74.99 per month

How to Watch the Daytona 500 for Free

One of the best ways to watch the Daytona 500 race for free is to get a free trial from one of the above livestreaming services. Most of the streaming options come with a free trial. For example, fuboTV allows a seven-day free trial, whereas YouTube TV offers a 14-day free trial

Listen to Daytona 500 Radio Coverage

You could resort to radio coverage if you won’t be watching but want to get a front-row race thrill. The Motor Racing Network will offer radio coverage for the “Great American Race” 2023, so check out your local provider. Alternatively, listen to SiriusXM NASCAR Radio Channel 90 to keep up with the event.  

Upcoming NASCAR Cup Series Races

If you want to know when and how to watch the rest of the NASCAR Cup Series races, you can check the NASCAR schedule

How to Watch the Daytona 500 With a VPN

In this section, we’ll use ExpressVPN to show you how to livestream the Daytona 500 on Sling TV. The streaming service is exclusively available to U.S.-based motor racing fans, but with a VPN, you can access it anywhere.

Sling TV error
Sling TV is a premier sports streaming service available in the U.S. only. 
  1. Sign Up for a Streaming VPN

    Sign up for a streaming VPN with servers in the United States.

    expressvpn 30days 2
  2. Download and Install the VPN App

    Install the VPN on your smart TV or computer if you want to watch on a big screen. If you want to see the race on your mobile device while on the move, install the VPN app from the Google Play Store or Apple Store.

    expressvpn apps
  3. Connect the VPN

    Complete the VPN setup and connect to a U.S. server to unblock your go-to Daytona 500 streaming service.

    Expressvpn usa dallas
  4. Watch the Daytona 500 Race Uninterrupted

    Do a DNS leak test to confirm the VPN assigned you a U.S. IP address. If everything looks OK, open Sling TV or any other live-streaming service, sign up for a free trial and enjoy more than three hours of a thrilling race. If you want to watch the race completely for free, use the VPN’s money-back guarantee to get a refund afterward.

    ExpressVPN for Sling TV

Best VPN for the Daytona 500 Livestream

If you are traveling abroad but still want to see the race, you can use a virtual private network to get a U.S. IP address, so you can access Daytona streaming services. Here are the best streaming services for Daytona 500.

1. ExpressVPN

ExpressVPN for Daytona 500
ExpressVPN is the best VPN to livestream Daytona 500 and other NASCAR races.

Pros:

  • Great unblocking ability
  • Blazing-fast speeds
  • 30-day money-back return

Cons:

  • Pricey

ExpressVPN is the best VPN in the market, and it’s no surprise it’s the top choice to stream the Daytona 500 race. The service has earned that position by merit. For one, it has unparalleled unblocking ability, meaning it will blitz through the geoblocks of any Daytona streaming service, whether that be Hulu, Sling TV, fuboTV, YouTube TV or DirecTV.

Beyond excellent unblocking capability, ExpressVPN is one of the fastest VPNs. You will not grapple with the annoying buffering or lags when using it. The streaming will be so smooth and seamless that you won’t even notice the VPN is on. Plus, with unlimited bandwidth and data, you don’t have to worry about getting cut off in the middle of the race.

Moreover, ExpressVPN offers a large pool of U.S. IP addresses, thanks to servers in 11 U.S. locations. Try ExpressVPN with its money-back guarantee, or learn more in our full ExpressVPN review.

2. NordVPN

NordVPN-for-World-Cup
NordVPN offers lightning-fast connection speeds to stream NASCAR Daytona 500 and other races without lags. 

Pros:

  • Lightning-fast connections
  • Unlimited bandwidth & data
  • 30-day money-back return

Cons:

  • Mobile UI not great

NordVPN is right up your alley if you’re looking for a cheaper ExpressVPN alternative. Even though it’s cheaper, it gives our top pick a run for its money on various fronts. To begin with, being the fastest VPN out there, it delivers interruption-free Daytona 500 streaming, whether you’re watching the race from Mexico or a country several continents away.

It doesn’t rival ExpressVPN’s unblocking ability because it struggles to access BBC iPlayer. That minor niggle aside, NordVPN bypasses just about any streaming geoblocks of all streaming services that carry FOX, including fuboTV, Sling TV and Hulu + live TV. However, in rare cases, you might have to switch servers to unblock these streaming sites.

The good thing is that with more than 1,970 servers in 15 U.S. locations, you’ll be spoiled for choice with U.S. IP addresses. Even better, NordVPN has a swift server switch time, so bouncing around a few different servers to unblock a streaming service is a cinch. Read our comprehensive NordVPN review to learn more, or use its money-back guarantee to test the VPN.

Basic
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes
Plus
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes
Complete
  • *The prices are charged in the first billing cycle only. Renewal prices vary.
  • Unlimited GB
  • 6
  • Yes

3. Proton VPN

ProtonVPN homepage 2022
Proton VPN is the best free VPN for livestreaming the Daytona 500 2023 race.

Pros:

  • Free servers in the U.S.
  • Unlimited data on free plan
  • Strong security & privacy

Cons:

  •  Slower speeds on high traffic

Proton VPN is the best free VPN for motor racing fans, particularly Daytona 500 fans on a tight budget. However, like other free VPNs, it has its benefits and limitations — let’s start with the positives. The VPN offers unlimited data — something you don’t usually get with free VPN services — so you can watch the entire race without getting cut off.

In addition, ProtonVPN has free servers in the U.S. If you’re traveling abroad, you don’t need to spend a penny to get a U.S. IP address. Despite its excellent data allowance and free servers, Proton VPN is a hit or miss when it comes to unblocking streaming services. 

Even worse, how fast the service is depends on how busy its free servers are. During rush hour, the VPN can be snail-paced and unserviceable for streaming Daytona 500 races. However, during off-peak hours the speed is ok and can stream Daytona in standard definition, provided you access your streaming service. Learn more in our Proton VPN review, or try it for free.

Daytona 500 2023: Lineup

Of the 40 positions, here are the 42 entries that will vie to get one of the chartered entries.

  1. Alex Bowman (pole position), No. 48
  2. Kyle Larson (front row), No. 5
  3. William Byron, No. 24
  4. Aric Almirola, No. 10
  5. Joey Logano, No. 22
  6. Chase Briscoe, No. 14
  7. Ryan Blaney, No. 12
  8. Austin Cindric, No. 2
  9. Harrison Burton, No. 21
  10. Kyle Busch, No. 8
  11. Bubba Wallace, No. 23
  12. Daniel Suarez, No. 99
  13. Chris Buescher, No. 17
  14. Chase Elliott, No. 9
  15. Ross Chastain, No. 1
  16. Ryan Preece, No. 41
  17. Kevin Harvick, No. 4
  18. Brad Keselowski, No. 6
  19. Ty Gibbs, No. 54
  20. Tyler Reddick, No. 45
  21. Christopher Bell, No. 20
  22. Martin Truex Jr., No. 19
  23. Jimmie Johnson*, No. 84
  24. Michael McDowell, No. 34
  25. Travis Pastrana*, No. 67
  26. Denny Hamlin, No. 11
  27. Erik Jones, No. 43
  28. Noah Gragson, No. 42
  29. Zane Smith*, No. 36
  30. AJ Allmendinger, No. 16
  31. Justin Haley, No. 31
  32. Austin Hill*, No. 62
  33. Austin Dillon, No. 3
  34. Todd Gilliland, No. 38
  35. Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47
  36. BJ McLeod, No. 78
  37. Cody Ware, No. 51
  38. Riley Herbst, No. 15
  39. Ty Dillon, No. 77
  40. Corey LaJoie, No. 7
  41. Chandler Smith*, No. 13
  42. Conor Daly*, No. 50

*Not yet confirmed for a spot.

Who Won the 2022 Daytona 500? 

Austin Cindric won the Daytona 500 in 2022, becoming only the second rookie to clinch the coveted title, after Trevor Bayne (2011). Cindric held off Bubba Wallace in a thrilling overtime (lap number 201) finish for the career-defining win. 

Here are the 2022 Daytona 500 official race results:

  1. Austin Cindric
  2. Bubba Wallace
  3. Chase Briscoe
  4. Ryan Blaney
  5. Aric Almirola
  6. Kyle Busch
  7. Michael McDowell
  8. David Ragan
  9. Brad Keselowski
  10. Chase Elliot

Final Lap 

We hope the guide has helped you pick your ideal Dayton 500 streaming service. Whether you’ve picked Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, fuboTV, YouTube TV or DirecTV, remember to subscribe to one of the best VPNs. A VPN will thwart ISP throttling and enable you to watch the “Great American Race” from anywhere without interruption. 

ExpressVPN is the best VPN for Daytona 500 streaming for a good reason. It has an unmatched unblocking ability and with excellent download speeds, it delivers lag- and buffering-free streaming. NordVPN is a cheaper yet reliable alternative, whereas Proton VPN is a safe bet if you’re on a tight budget.  

If racing isn’t your thing, we have other live sport streaming guides. We recently published guides on how to watch Masters Tournament, Watch UFC Fight Nights and watch Indian Premier League online.

Who do you think will win this year’s Daytona 500? Have you used a VPN to livestream the Dayton 500 race? Which VPN service did you use? Would you recommend this VPN service to other users, and why? We’d love to hear about it in the comments, and as always, thank you for reading.

FAQ

  • The 2023 Daytona 500 is on Sunday, Feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m. ET.

  • You can watch the 2023 Daytona 500 race on FOX Sports, which is only available in the U.S.

  • Yes, the Daytona 500 is on various streaming services, including Sling TV, DirecTV, YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV and fuboTV.

  • You can watch the Daytona 500 for free with streaming services that come with a free trial, such as fuboTV and YouTube TV.

  • Yes, the Daytona 500 will be on Hulu + Live TV.

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