You're sitting there, maybe with a coffee or something stronger, wondering if you have enough time to mow the lawn or run to the store before the engines fire up. We've all been there. You search for the race time, and you get a mess of time zones and "pre-race coverage" windows that don't tell you when the cars actually start moving. Honestly, the 2026 schedule has thrown a few curveballs that even die-hard fans are still squinting at.
If you are looking for the NASCAR Cup race on Sunday, the start time depends entirely on where they are in the season. Right now, we are in that weird "quiet" part of January where everyone is just itching for the Clash and Daytona.
The Short Answer for the Next Big One
Since today is January 13, 2026, there actually isn't a points-paying Cup race this coming Sunday. NASCAR is still in its brief winter nap. However, the season is basically breathing down our necks. The first time you'll need to clear your Sunday afternoon is February 1, 2026.
That day, the Cup Series returns to the "Madhouse" for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. You’ll want to be in front of your TV by 8:00 p.m. ET. It’s a night race on a Sunday, which is a bit of a vibe shift, but it’s going to be absolute chaos on that quarter-mile track.
Why Sunday Start Times Are So All Over the Place
It feels like NASCAR start times are a moving target. One week it's 2:00 p.m., the next it's 7:00 p.m., and then suddenly you're watching a race at noon. Basically, it comes down to the TV networks—FOX, FS1, NBC, USA, and now the new partners like Prime Video and TNT—trying to find the "sweet spot" for ratings.
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Take the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15. That one is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX. It's the classic afternoon slot. But then look at the summer stretch. When the series hits Chicagoland Speedway on July 5, the green flag isn't until 6:00 p.m. ET. They do that to avoid the blistering midday heat and to catch that "Sunday Night Baseball" crowd.
The 2026 "West Coast" Swing and Night Races
NASCAR loves its patterns, until it doesn't. This year, the schedule is particularly funky because of new venues and returning classics.
- Phoenix Raceway (March 8): Green flag at 3:30 p.m. ET.
- Las Vegas Motor Speedway (March 15): A slightly later 4:00 p.m. ET start.
- San Diego Street Race (June 21): This is the brand-new one at Naval Base Coronado. It starts at 4:00 p.m. ET on Prime Video.
If you're a fan of the night stuff, the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte on May 24 remains the crown jewel of Sunday night racing, starting at 6:00 p.m. ET. It’s the longest race of the year, so don't plan on being in bed early.
The Network Shuffle: Where to Find the Race
The biggest headache for fans in 2026 isn't just what time the race starts, but where it's actually playing. The broadcast rights are split up more than a cheap log.
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FOX and FS1 take the first half of the season, ending with the All-Star Race at Dover on May 17 (3:00 p.m. ET). After that, things get techy. Prime Video picks up a five-race stint starting with the Coke 600. If you don't have an Amazon login, you're going to be staring at a blank screen while everyone else is watching the madness at Nashville or Michigan.
Then TNT Sports takes over for another five-race mid-summer stretch, including the highly anticipated return of North Wilkesboro Speedway as a points race on July 19 at 7:00 p.m. ET. Finally, NBC and USA Network bring it home for the playoffs, culminating in the championship at Homestead-Miami on November 8 at 3:00 p.m. ET.
A Quick Cheat Sheet for the Early 2026 Sundays
To make your life easier, here’s the breakdown for the first month of the actual season:
- Feb 1 (The Clash): 8:00 p.m. ET on FOX. It's an exhibition, but the bumping is real.
- Feb 8: Off weekend (well, technically no Cup race, but there's plenty of shop talk).
- Feb 15 (Daytona 500): 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX. This is the "Super Bowl of Stock Car Racing."
- Feb 22 (Atlanta): 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX. Drafting at Atlanta has become wild lately.
- March 1 (COTA): 3:30 p.m. ET on FOX. Road course ringers vs. the regulars.
Don't Get Fooled by the "TV Time"
Here is a pro tip from someone who has missed too many Stage 1 starts: The time listed on your guide is almost never the green flag time.
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If the guide says the race is at 3:00 p.m., the command to start engines usually happens around 3:12 p.m., and the green flag actually drops around 3:20 p.m. after the pace laps. If you're a "just show me the racing" type of person, you can usually tune in 15 to 20 minutes after the listed "start time." But if you want to see the anthem, the flyover, and the pre-race drama (which is half the fun), stick to the posted time.
Actionable Steps for the Race Fan
To stay on top of the NASCAR Cup race on Sunday, here is what you should actually do:
- Download the NASCAR App: It's surprisingly decent. It'll send you a push notification about 15 minutes before the green flag drops so you don't have to keep checking the clock.
- Check the Weather: NASCAR doesn't do rain (mostly). If the clouds look nasty over a track like Talladega or Martinsville, that 3:00 p.m. start time is basically a suggestion. They’ll try to "bump up" the start if they can, or you might be looking at a Monday morning race.
- Sync Your Calendar: Most team websites (like Hendrick or JGR) offer a "sync to calendar" feature that puts the actual green flag times directly on your phone.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most diverse schedules we've seen in decades. Between street courses in San Diego and the return to the Florida coast for the finale, your Sunday afternoons are going to be busy. Just make sure you know which app or channel you're clicking on before the field takes the green.