How to watch the NASCAR Freeway Insurance 500 for free from anywhere
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The NASCAR Cup Series heads to Phoenix Raceway for the Freeway Insurance 500 on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. The 312-lap event begins at 3:00PM ET, and it opens the third round of the NASCAR Playoffs, giving drivers little room for error in the championship fight.
Fans in New Zealand can watch the race for free on ThreeNow. The platform directs NASCAR viewers to its Live TV section and ThreeNow Sport on race days. Its 2026 coverage also follows Kiwi driver Shane van Gisbergen in his third Cup Series campaign.
ThreeNow is intended for New Zealand viewers. If you are traveling or live elsewhere, a VPN connected to New Zealand can help you access the official free broadcast, subject to ThreeNow’s terms and local laws.
Freeway Insurance 500 start times
NASCAR lists the Freeway Insurance 500 for 3:00PM ET on October 18th. Phoenix Raceway’s local listing is 12:00PM MST, which matches that schedule. Here's when the race starts, depending on the time zone you're in.
| Location | Start time |
| Phoenix, Arizona | 12:00PM MST, October 18th |
| US East Coast | 3:00PM ET, October 18th |
| US West Coast | 12:00PM PT, October 18th |
| United Kingdom | 8:00PM BST, October 18th |
| Central Europe | 9:00PM CEST, October 18th |
| Sydney, Australia | 6:00AM AEDT, October 19th |
| New Zealand | 8:00AM NZDT, October 19th |
Where to watch the Freeway Insurance 500 by country
The free New Zealand stream is the standout option, but official paid coverage is also available in several major markets.
| Country | Streaming service | Price | Start time | Notes |
| United States | USA Network / HBO Max | Subscription or qualifying TV package required | 3:00PM ET | NASCAR lists both services for the race, with USA Network pre-race coverage starting at 2:30PM ET |
| Canada | TSN | Subscription required | 3:00PM ET | TSN provides NASCAR Cup Series schedules and dedicated NASCAR coverage |
| Australia | Kayo Sports | Paid service, with promotions for eligible new customers | 6:00AM AEDT, October 19th | Kayo lists NASCAR Cup Series live and on demand |
| New Zealand | ThreeNow | Free | 8:00AM NZDT, October 19th | Use Live TV and select ThreeNow Sport on race day |
How to watch the Freeway Insurance 500 for free with a VPN
ThreeNow is an official free option for NASCAR Cup Series coverage in New Zealand. The service sends viewers to ThreeNow Sport through the Live TV area on race days. If you are outside New Zealand, you will need a VPN with a New Zealand location to access the service while traveling.
- Choose a reliable VPN with New Zealand servers. We recommend NordVPN for live sports because it offers New Zealand servers, the NordLynx protocol, SmartDNS support on selected compatible devices, and servers across 225 locations.
- Install the VPN app. Download it on your laptop, phone, tablet, or supported streaming device.
- Connect to a New Zealand server. This gives your device a New Zealand IP address.
- Open ThreeNow. Go to the ThreeNow website or app. You may need to create a free account, as the service provides sign-up and login options.
- Open Live TV and select ThreeNow Sport. Look for the NASCAR Cup Series broadcast shortly before the 8:00AM NZDT start on Monday, October 19th.
Why you need a VPN to watch ThreeNow abroad
ThreeNow’s free NASCAR coverage is aimed at viewers in New Zealand. Sports broadcasters buy rights by territory, so a stream available at no cost in one market may be unavailable in another. When trying to access ThreeNow from outside New Zealand, the platform will show you an error message like this:
A VPN can be useful when you are traveling and want to access an official broadcaster from your home region, or when you want to access a legitimate free broadcast licensed for a specific country. It also adds privacy when you stream through public Wi-Fi. For example, by connecting to NordVPN's server in Auckland, I've unlocked ThreeNow's NASCAR Cup Series hub:
Use a provider with servers in New Zealand, connect before opening ThreeNow, and review the platform’s terms before streaming. For a broader comparison, see our guide to the best VPNs for streaming.
Best VPNs to watch the Freeway Insurance 500
A VPN with reliable New Zealand servers is essential if you are outside New Zealand and want to try watching the official ThreeNow stream. The providers below have confirmed New Zealand server options and great speed retention for live streaming.
- NordVPN is our top pick for ThreeNow. It offers New Zealand locations, including Auckland, and uses the NordLynx protocol for fast connections that are well suited to live sports. NordVPN also includes SmartDNS through its SmartPlay features, which can be useful for certain compatible TVs without a native VPN app. Read our complete NordVPN review for more on performance, features, and compatible devices.
- Surfshark is a good fit for households with several viewers or devices. It lists servers in Auckland and operates a network of more than 4,500 servers in 100 countries. Read our Surfshark review for further details.
- Proton VPN is a privacy-focused choice with multiple 10Gbps servers in New Zealand. Its network covers more than 140 countries and supports up to 10 devices at once. Read our Proton VPN review to compare its plans and features.
How to watch on different devices
ThreeNow says viewers can watch live content on PC, Mac, Apple TV, mobile devices, Chromecast, tablets, and smart TVs. The simplest setup is usually a web browser: connect the VPN to New Zealand, open ThreeNow, sign in if needed, and select the live sports channel.
Phones, tablets, and computers
Install the VPN app, connect to New Zealand, then open ThreeNow in a modern browser or its available app. A browser avoids many app-store region issues and is often the quickest way to get ready for a live event.
Apple TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs
ThreeNow supports Apple TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs, but VPN support varies by device. Apple TV, Google TV, Android TV, and Amazon Fire TV can support native VPN apps from leading providers. On Samsung and LG TVs, you may need a router-level VPN, SmartDNS where available, or casting from a phone or computer already connected to the VPN.
A VPN changes your network location, but it does not automatically change an Apple App Store, Google Play, or television app-store country. If the ThreeNow app is unavailable in your device’s store, using a browser or casting from a VPN-connected device is usually more straightforward.
Freeway Insurance 500 race preview
The Freeway Insurance 500 is the opening race of the third round of the 2026 NASCAR Playoffs, so the result can significantly shape the title race. A strong finish at Phoenix can create momentum before the final stretch, while a poor result puts added pressure on playoff contenders.
The race runs for 312 laps at Phoenix Raceway, a one-mile oval in Avondale, Arizona. Track position, restarts, tire management, and pit-road execution are likely to matter throughout the 312-mile event.
New Zealand viewers also have a local storyline to follow in Shane van Gisbergen. ThreeNow’s NASCAR coverage follows the six-time Cup event winner during his third season in the Cup Series, adding extra interest to its free race-day coverage.
The Freeway Insurance 500 begins at 3:00PM ET on Sunday, October 18th, which is 8:00AM NZDT on Monday, October 19th, in New Zealand.
FAQ
Can I watch the Freeway Insurance 500 for free?
Yes, ThreeNow offers free NASCAR Cup Series viewing in New Zealand through its Live TV and ThreeNow Sport coverage. If you are outside New Zealand, access may be limited by location checks and platform terms.
What time does the Freeway Insurance 500 start?
The race starts at 3:00PM ET on Sunday, October 18th, 2026. For viewers in New Zealand, that is 8:00AM NZDT on Monday, October 19th.
Where is the Freeway Insurance 500 held?
The race takes place at Phoenix Raceway in Avondale, Arizona. It is scheduled for 312 laps and 312 miles.
Is the Freeway Insurance 500 on USA Network?
Yes, NASCAR’s current TV guide lists USA Network for the race, with pre-race coverage scheduled from 2:30PM ET. HBO Max is also listed as a streaming option.
Can I watch ThreeNow on a smart TV?
Yes, ThreeNow supports Apple TV, Chromecast, and smart TVs, among other devices. Your VPN setup may require a native app, SmartDNS, casting, or a router-level configuration, depending on the TV platform.
Which VPN is best for ThreeNow?
NordVPN is my top recommendation because it has New Zealand locations, NordLynx, and SmartDNS support for selected compatible devices.
