How to watch NASCAR: Cook Out 400 (Martinsville)
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Martinsville Speedway is unlike anything else on the NASCAR calendar. It's small, it's old, and it turns drivers who are perfectly civil everywhere else into bumper-cars. The Cook Out 400 is one of those races where something always happens: contact, chaos, or a last-lap lunge that people argue about for weeks.
This year's race takes place on Sunday, March 29, 2026, with a 3:30 PM ET start time. Coverage is on FS1, with radio on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, and also available on HBO Max.
New Zealand viewers can catch it free on ThreeNow, which carries NASCAR without a paywall. For everyone else, here's what you need to know about streaming the Cook Out 400 from anywhere.
Where to watch NASCAR: Cook Out 400
| Country | Streaming service | Price | Notes |
| NZ | ThreeNow | Free | |
| US | FOX Sports App | Included with TV provider | Live stream FOX/FS1 |
| US | Hulu + Live TV | From $76.99/month | Includes FOX & FS1 |
| US | YouTube TV | From $72.99/month | Full NASCAR coverage |
| US | Sling TV | From $40/month | FS1 in select packages |
| UK | Viaplay | From £14.99/month | NASCAR coverage |
| Canada | TSN+ | From CAD 8/month | Selected races |
| Australia | Kayo Sports | From AUD 25/month | Live sports streaming |
| Germany | DAZN | From €29.99/month | Motorsports coverage |
Can you watch the Cook Out 400 for free?
Free live NASCAR coverage is hard to come by, but it does exist. ThreeNow in New Zealand streams select races at no cost. It's one of the only legitimate ways to watch a Cup Series race without paying for a sports package.
The catch is that ThreeNow is only available in New Zealand. If you're outside the country, a VPN with a New Zealand server gets around that, giving you access to the same free stream that Kiwi viewers get. It's worth trying before committing to a paid US streaming service, particularly if the Cook Out 400 is the only race you're trying to catch.
How to watch NASCAR: Cook Out 400 for free with a VPN
- Choose a reliable VPN (NordVPN recommended)
- Install the VPN app on your device
- Connect to a New Zealand server
- Go to ThreeNow and sign up for a free account
- Start streaming the Cook Out 400 live at no cost
About the Cook Out 400
Martinsville Speedway is the oldest track on the NASCAR Cup Series calendar and, at 0.526 miles, the shortest. Located in Henry County, Virginia, the circuit's distinctive paperclip shape – long straightaways connecting two tight, flat turns – creates a style of racing found nowhere else on the schedule.
The combination of heavy braking zones and limited passing opportunities means track position is everything. Tyre degradation is severe, which puts significant weight on pit strategy and timing. A well-executed stop can gain several positions; a poorly timed one can effectively end a team's afternoon. Expect multiple lead changes and plenty of late-race strategy battles as teams try to time their final stops around caution periods.
The race covers 400 laps, just over 210 miles, and historically produces a high caution count, keeping the field compressed and the outcome uncertain deep into the final stage. It's a race that tends to reward patience and punish aggression, though Martinsville has a habit of demanding both at the same time.
The winner receives a grandfather clock, a tradition dating back decades that remains one of the most recognised prizes in American motorsport.
