NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series TV & Live Streaming Schedule

Serving as the proving ground for upcoming top-level NASCAR drivers, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (previously known as the NASCAR Xfinity Series) plays an important role in NASCAR’s series system. As NASCAR’s second-tier national division, it sits just below the Cup Series and ahead of the Craftsman Truck Series. The series has been running in its modern touring form since 1982 and is most often held on the same weekends and at the same tracks as the NASCAR Cup Series, giving rising stars a chance to shine in front of big crowds. Watch it live on TV or via live stream and get a glimpse of the future NASCAR Cup Series drivers.

Livesportsontv.com delivers an up-to-date TV and streaming schedule with all upcoming NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series events. Check out the TV guide here and find out how you can watch the series live throughout the season.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series

The series in its current form was launched in 1982, growing out of NASCAR’s old Sportsman division that dates back to 1950. Over the years it has carried several title sponsors and names, including the Busch Grand National Series, the NASCAR Busch Series, the NASCAR Nationwide Series and, most recently, the NASCAR Xfinity Series, before becoming the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series from the 2026 season onward.

Today, the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series is the final step on the ladder before the Cup Series. Many future superstars use this championship as a natural proving ground, where upcoming top-division drivers can gain experience with longer races, tough schedules and big-pressure situations while competing on many of the same tracks as the Cup field. For fans, it’s the best place to watch tomorrow’s NASCAR Cup Series contenders develop in real time.

Where can I watch the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series live on TV & live streaming?

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series has long been popular among racing enthusiasts. High speeds, eventful races and a mix of classic ovals, road courses and, more recently, street courses attract millions of viewers across the season. All championship races are shown live, and every year the series delivers close finishes, bold moves and dramatic playoff battles.

Historically, TV rights have been shared by major U.S. broadcasters such as ESPN, CBS, NBC and Fox Sports, which helped build the series into a fan favorite. In recent years, NASCAR has reshaped its media deals, and the second-tier series is now carried exclusively on The CW in the United States, with strong year-over-year growth in viewership.

Alongside traditional TV coverage, fans can follow the action via various streaming platforms and official apps provided by NASCAR and its media partners, as well as radio coverage and live timing. Exact broadcast and streaming details can vary by market and season, which is where we come in.

By using Livesportsontv.com, you’ll always get the latest information on when and how to watch the upcoming NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series races. Our TV and live streaming schedule covers both national and regional broadcasters, plus available streaming options, and provides you with the correct green-flag time in your local time zone. With Livesportsontv.com you never have to miss a race, whether you’re watching on TV, laptop, phone or tablet.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – Racing Schedule & Playoffs

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series calendar normally begins in February and runs through November, broadly mirroring the Cup Series year. Across the season there are typically 33 races, with a mix of short tracks, intermediate ovals, superspeedways, road courses and occasional street circuits.

The schedule is split into:

• Regular season: usually 26 races, where drivers accumulate points and fight for wins and playoff positions.
• Playoffs: 7 races that decide the champion.

Since 2016 the series has used a playoff format similar to the Cup Series, with three rounds and eliminations after each round.

The structure looks like this:

• Round of 12: The top 12 drivers (based on regular-season points and wins) start the playoffs. After three races, the four lowest-ranked playoff drivers are eliminated.
• Round of 8: The remaining eight drivers carry their playoff points into another three-race round. Again, the bottom four are eliminated.
• Championship 4: In the final race of the season, four drivers battle with their points reset. The highest finisher of those four in the finale wins the championship, regardless of where they finish relative to the rest of the field.

This system puts extra emphasis on winning races and performing at the right time of year, which frequently produces dramatic cut-off scenarios and must-win situations as the season winds down.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – Drivers’ Championship

The drivers’ championship goes to the driver who accumulates the most points over the full season, including both regular season and playoffs. Every race is divided into two or three stages, depending on the race distance.

• Stage 1 typically covers roughly the first quarter of the race.
• Stage 2 often covers the second quarter.
• The final stage runs from the last stage break to the checkered flag.

At the end of each stage, the top 10 drivers earn stage points (with the stage winner earning the most), and additional points are awarded based on the final race result.

On top of that, race wins and stage wins can earn playoff points, which carry through each round of the playoffs and can be crucial in surviving eliminations. This stage-based system rewards drivers for running up front all day, not just at the finish, and keeps the intensity high from the opening laps.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – Owners’ Championship

The owners’ championship works similarly to the drivers’ title but focuses on the performance of each individual car entry rather than the driver alone.

If a team runs multiple drivers in the same car number over the course of a season, the points that car earns still count toward the owners’ standings, regardless of who is behind the wheel. This means that a car can contend for the owners’ championship even if several different drivers share it throughout the year. For teams and sponsors, the owners’ title is a prestigious goal and a key indicator of season-long performance.

The NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series – Manufacturers’ Championship

The manufacturers’ championship is where the car brands themselves go head-to-head. Points are awarded to the manufacturers (rather than the teams) based on the finishing position of their best-placed car in each race.

All points scored by that brand’s teams across the season contribute to a combined total. In modern times, Chevrolet, Ford and Toyota are the three major manufacturers competing in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series.

For brand-loyal fans, this is an added layer of competition, as each race doesn’t just influence the drivers’ and owners’ standings but also the Chevrolet vs Ford vs Toyota battle for manufacturer bragging rights.

Facts about NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series cars

The race cars in the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series share much of their DNA with the Cup Series machines but retain a more traditional stock-car feel. They are powerful, heavy and purpose-built for close oval racing:

• Chassis: Steel tube frame with integrated safety roll cage, built to meet strict NASCAR safety regulations.
• Engine: 5.86L (358 cu in) naturally aspirated pushrod V8, typically producing around 650–700 horsepower in unrestricted trim.
• Transmission: Traditional 4-speed manual gearbox with an H-pattern shifter.
• Weight: Minimum 3,200 lb (without driver); race weight with driver and fuel is roughly 3,400 lb or slightly more.
• Fuel capacity: Approximately 18 US gallons in the fuel cell.
• Dimensions (approx.):
  • Length: around 203–204 inches
  • Width: about 75 inches
  • Height: roughly 51 inches

These specs, combined with the series’ diverse track list, create tight packs, plenty of drafting and frequent side-by-side battles. For many fans, the second-tier series delivers some of the most entertaining racing of the entire NASCAR ladder.