You're driving. It’s a random Tuesday in July. The sun is beating down on the asphalt, and for some reason, you really need to know what’s happening in a garage in North Carolina. If you’re a race fan, you don't turn on a local sports talk station to hear two guys argue about NBA trade rumors. You hit channel 90. Sirius XM NASCAR Radio is basically the heartbeat of the sport for anyone who spends more time thinking about tire fall-off than their own 401k.
Honestly, it's kind of a miracle it exists.
A 24/7 dedicated stream of nothing but stock car racing sounds like a niche play, but it has become the "water cooler" for the industry. It’s where drivers vent after getting wrecked, where crew chiefs explain why they didn’t take four tires, and where fans—some of them very angry—get to scream into the void.
The Channel 90 Reality Check
Most people think Sirius XM NASCAR Radio is just a place to hear the race on Sunday. That’s a huge misconception. Sure, they carry the MRN and PRN broadcasts for every single Cup, Xfinity, and Truck series race, but the race is only about 15% of what happens on that channel.
The real meat is the weekday grind.
If you've ever listened to The Morning Drive with Mike Bagley and Pete Pistone, you know it's less like a formal news show and more like a high-octane therapy session. They start at 7:00 AM ET, and by 7:15, they’re usually deep into a debate about a restart violation from three days ago. Bagley is the "stats guy" who remembers every lap of the 1994 Brickyard 400, and Pistone is the veteran reporter who seems to know everyone's business.
It’s authentic.
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Who are the voices you’re actually hearing?
You've got a mix of legends and current insiders. It isn't just "radio people" talking about racing; it's people who lived it.
- Dave "The Godfather" Moody: His show, SiriusXM Speedway, is legendary. Moody doesn't sugarcoat. If a caller says something stupid, he’ll tell them. It’s arguably the most interactive part of the channel.
- Larry McReynolds: "America’s Crew Chief." When Larry Mac talks about "making a statement" or the technical side of the Next Gen car, you listen. He co-hosts On Track with Danielle Trotta.
- Chocolate Myers: If you want old-school NASCAR soul, Tradin' Paint is the spot. Chocolate was the gas man for Dale Earnhardt Sr. He brings a perspective you just can’t replicate with a journalism degree.
Why This Channel Still Matters in 2026
We live in a world of 15-second TikTok clips and instant Twitter (X) updates. You’d think a linear radio station would be dead. But NASCAR is a sport built on long-form storytelling. You can't explain why a team is struggling with "dirty air" in a 140-character post.
Sirius XM NASCAR Radio fills the gaps.
It’s the only place where a mid-pack driver like Corey LaJoie or a champion like Joey Logano can sit down for 20 minutes and actually explain the why behind a move on the track. Logano has his own show, Behind the Wheel, where he gets surprisingly candid. It’s weird hearing a guy who just tried to put someone in the wall on Sunday talking about his kids or his business ventures on Tuesday, but that’s the draw.
The access is wild.
During race weekends, they don't just stay in a studio in Washington D.C. or Nashville. They are at the track. They’re in the Fan Zone. They’re roaming the garage. If you’re a subscriber, you’re basically getting a VIP pass to the conversations that used to happen behind closed doors in the motorhome lot.
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The Secret Sauce: Driver2Crew Chatter
If you’re only listening to the main broadcast, you’re missing the best part of the SiriusXM app. During the big races—especially the Daytona 500 or the Talladega rounds—they open up specific "Driver2Crew Chatter" channels.
You can literally listen to the raw, unedited radio feed of guys like Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott, or Bubba Wallace.
- Channel 970: Joey Logano
- Channel 972: Ryan Blaney
- Channel 974: Kyle Larson
It is chaotic. You hear the spotter screaming "Inside! Still there! Clear!" while the driver is huffing and puffing. It’s raw. It's often filled with "colorful" language that wouldn't make it to a FOX or NBC broadcast. It gives you a sense of the physical toll these guys are taking.
How to Get the Most Out of Your Subscription
Don't just leave it on in the car. If you're a serious fan, you need the app.
- The Search Function: Search for "NASCAR Classic Race." They archive old broadcasts. Listening to a race from 1998 while you're at the gym is a weirdly great experience.
- Post-Race Shows: Most people turn off the TV as soon as the burnout is over. Don't. The post-race show on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio is where the drama settles. They get the audio from the guys who are mad at each other.
- Fantasy Racing Preview: If you play NASCAR Fantasy Live or do any betting, Pete Pistone and Brendan Gaughan do a deep dive into the stats that actually matter for that specific weekend.
Is it worth the money?
Look, SiriusXM isn't free.
If you only watch the Daytona 500 once a year, no, you don't need it. But if you’re the person who knows what "wedge" is and follows the points standings in the Truck series, it’s basically mandatory. The 2026 season is already shaping up to be a mess of schedule changes and new manufacturer drama (did you see the Mustang Dark Horse SC news?).
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The sheer volume of content is staggering. Between The Front Stretch with Pat Patterson on the weekends and the late-night replays, there is never a "dead" moment.
Honestly, the best part isn't even the experts. It's the "Joe from Alabama" who calls in to complain about a lug nut. It's the community. It’s knowing that while you’re stuck in traffic, thousands of other people are also listening to Dave Moody talk about whether the Chicago Street Race should be a permanent fixture on the calendar.
Your Next Moves
- Check your channel: If you're in a car, it's almost always Channel 90. If you're on the app, just search "NASCAR."
- Set an alarm for 7:00 AM ET: Catch The Morning Drive on a Monday after a big race. The "overreactions" from callers are the best entertainment in sports.
- Download the "Behind the Wheel" episodes: If you want to see the human side of the drivers, the long-form interviews are much better than the 30-second soundbites you see on the news.
NASCAR is a complicated sport. It’s fast, it’s political, and it’s technical. Having a 24-hour translator in your ear makes the whole thing a lot more fun to follow.
Now, go find out why your favorite driver's crew chief just got suspended. Someone on Channel 90 is probably talking about it right now.
Actionable Insight: To get the full experience, download the SiriusXM app and favorite Channel 90. This unlocks the "Start Now" feature, allowing you to rewind up to five hours, so you never miss the start of The Morning Drive or a late-race restart.