How to Listen to the NASCAR Races Online

a blurred photo of a car on a racetrack

 Siddharth Bhatia/Getty Images

If you are stuck in the office and can't catch the race on television, there are a number of online options available that can help you keep up on the action. From low-tech blogging, audio streams from Motor Racing Network (MRN) and Performance Racing Network (PRN) to fully high-tech streaming video and data, there is an option to suit every budget and internet connection speed.

Low Tech and Free

The first option to help keep up on the race is to watch the free options available on NASCAR.com. The Lap-By-Lap is updated regularly. This NASCAR.com feature provides brief updates on the running order, cautions, and any significant events during the race.

  • Pros: Free, good for slow internet connections.
  • Cons: Ok for keeping up with the basics but hard to keep track of the flow of the race.

Radio Broadcast Streams

As of the 2012 NASCAR Sprint Cup season, there are multiple places NASCAR fans can hear the MRN audio broadcast streamed live over the internet.

After many years of requests from fans both MRN and PRN are now able to stream their NASCAR broadcasts for free from their respective websites at www.MotorRacingNetwork.com and www.goprn.com.

PRN streaming also supports all mobile platforms including Android and iPhone devices.

  • Pros: Free, full radio broadcast
  • Cons: Requires moderately fast internet connection.

SiriusXM Satellite Radio also provides streaming options for subscribers. This package includes all of the extensive NASCAR programming available on SiriusXM including qualifying, all of the races and tons of in-depth analysis, interviews and specials throughout the year.

SiriusXM streaming works on their website as well as their mobile apps for iPhone, iPad and many Android and BlackBerry devices.

  • Pros: Full event coverage, plus 24x7 NASCAR content, mobile apps provide streaming on the go.
  • Cons: Not free, requires SiriusXM subscription.

Radio Broadcast Plus

Finally, we come to NASCAR's own feature-rich, but more expensive, options. TrackPass at NASCAR.com is split up into three distinct products which increase in features and cost as you go.

First is the TrackPass Scanner which includes audio-only streaming of the live radio broadcast for Sprint Cup, Nationwide and Camping World Truck Series events as well as live in-car scanner audio for all drivers during Sprint Cup races.

The second option is TrackPass Race View which includes all of the scanner audio features plus extensive telemetry data. You can know where everyone is on the track at all times. This is one of the best ways to keep track your favorite driver regardless of where he is running on the track.

RaceView also includes their "virtual video" feature where the telemetry data is translated into a computer game-like image that represents what is actually going on at the track. Without true streaming video, this is the next-best way to visualize the race.

The final option from NASCAR.com is the TrackPass Race View 360. This incorporates all of the standard Race View features plus it adds even more virtual video options, advanced driver stats and pit crew performance stats that aren't available anywhere else.

  • Pros: Full event coverage, tons of data and "Virtual Video" not available anyplace else
  • Cons: Most expensive option, requires decent internet bandwidth