So, you’re looking for the leaderboard for NASCAR race today, and honestly, if you’re checking the calendar on January 15, 2026, things are a little weird. You’ve probably noticed the lack of engines roaring on your TV. That’s because the official NASCAR Cup Series season hasn't technically started its points-paying engine yet.
But don't click away just yet. While there isn't a Cup Series race happening on a paved superspeedway today, the racing world is actually on fire right now. We're in that sweet spot where NASCAR stars are playing in the dirt or prepping for the "Madhouse."
Where are the drivers? The Chili Bowl Factor
If you want a real-time leaderboard for NASCAR race today, you have to look toward Tulsa, Oklahoma. Specifically, the SageNet Center. Today is Thursday, January 15, and it’s the Hasty Bake Qualifying Night for the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals.
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This isn't just some local dirt race. It’s the "Super Bowl of Midget Racing," and NASCAR’s biggest names are all over the entry list. Just a few days ago, on Monday, Kyle Larson—the reigning Cup Series champion—reminded everyone why he’s a generational talent by winning the Monday preliminary feature. He started fourth, grabbed the lead by lap 10, and basically never looked back, despite some hair-raising contact with a lapped car.
Christopher Bell is also deep in the mix. He already snagged a win this week in the Race of Champions on Monday night. For Bell, this year is special because he’s winning as an owner-driver in his own equipment. He actually admitted he was "about ready to puke" before the race because of the stress of running his own team. That’s the kind of raw emotion you don't always see during the corporate grind of the 36-race Cup schedule.
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The 2026 Chili Bowl Standings So Far (Mid-Week)
- Kyle Larson: Already locked into the Saturday A-Main after his Monday win.
- Christopher Bell: Won the ROC; qualifying night is actually tonight, Thursday.
- Ty Gibbs: Had a rougher Tuesday, finishing 14th in the A-Main.
- Sheldon Creed: Made his debut this week; won a B-Main but struggled in the feature.
Looking ahead to the 2026 Cup Series Leaderboard
If you’re strictly a Cup Series fan, your wait is almost over. The "leaderboard for NASCAR race today" will look a lot more traditional on February 1, 2026. That’s when the Cook Out Clash returns to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem.
Last year, Chase Elliott took the win there, fending off Ryan Blaney in what people call "The Madhouse." It’s a flat, quarter-mile oval that feels more like a localized brawl than a professional race. Because it’s an exhibition, there are no points, but for a driver, winning at Bowman Gray is basically a badge of honor that says you can survive a fistfight on wheels.
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Key Dates for Your 2026 Calendar
- February 1: Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (Non-points).
- February 12: The Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona.
- February 15: The Daytona 500 (The Big One).
Why the 2026 Standings will look different
When the season finally kicks off in February, the leaderboard is going to feel different because of some massive schedule shifts. For the first time since 2019, the Championship Race is moving to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8.
Phoenix has held the finale for years, but NASCAR is shaking things up. We’re also getting a brand-new street course in San Diego at Naval Base Coronado on June 21. Seeing a leaderboard for NASCAR race today during that June stretch is going to look wild—imagine Stock Cars navigating the tight turns of a naval base.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there isn't a live Cup leaderboard to refresh every five seconds today, here is how you can stay ahead of the curve:
- Watch the Chili Bowl: Tune into FloRacing tonight. Christopher Bell is the man to watch on this Thursday qualifying night.
- Check the Team Previews: NASCAR is currently releasing team-by-team season previews. Today, January 15, is actually the scheduled release day for Richard Childress Racing. If you want to know what's happening with Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon, that's your primary source of intel today.
- Daytona Prep: Start looking at the entry lists for the Truck Series. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. just announced he’s making his first-ever Truck Series start at Daytona this February.
The leaderboard for NASCAR race today might be empty of Cup points, but the dirt is flying in Tulsa, and the "Madhouse" is just two weeks away. Keep your eyes on the dirt results—they usually tell you who’s going to be fast once the asphalt season starts.