If you’re looking for the NASCAR Cup Series race today, Wednesday, January 14, 2026, you won’t find cars screaming around a tri-oval just yet. Honestly, we’re in that weird, quiet-but-loud window where the season is technically weeks away, but the engines are already firing up behind closed doors.
Actually, they weren't even behind closed doors yesterday.
The real action right now is happening at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Just yesterday, drivers like Chris Buescher were tearing up the pavement for a massive testing session. It wasn’t just a "shake down" either. They were testing a brand new 750-horsepower engine package that NASCAR plans to run at nearly 20 tracks throughout this 2026 season. If you've been following the sport for a while, you know the horsepower debate has been a headache for years. Drivers want more. Fans want more. Well, today is basically the "morning after" for the teams as they pore over data from that test.
The Actual 2026 Schedule Kickoff
Look, I know you want to see a green flag. We all do. But the official racing doesn’t start until February 1st. That’s when the Cook Out Clash returns to Bowman Gray Stadium.
Calling it a "race" is almost an understatement. It’s a literal madhouse. It's a quarter-mile bullring in Winston-Salem, and it’s arguably the most aggressive event on the calendar. After that, we hit the big one. The Daytona 500 is set for February 15, 2026.
But what’s happening today?
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Today is Jan 14. In the NASCAR world, this is peak "Season Preview" season. Front Row Motorsports just dropped their 2026 outlook. They’ve got a heavy lift ahead. Noah Gragson is back in the No. 4 Ford, but he’s got a new crew chief, Grant Hutchens. Gragson had eight DNFs last year. Eight! You can’t win a championship when you're ending your day in the garage that often.
Why 2026 is Shaking Up the NASCAR Cup Series
If you think this season is just a repeat of last year, you’re gonna be surprised. NASCAR didn't just tweak the rules; they threw the whole schedule into a blender.
The biggest news? The championship finale isn’t in Phoenix anymore.
After years of ending the season in the desert, the NASCAR Cup Series Championship Race is moving to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8, 2026. This is huge. Homestead is a multi-groove track where you can actually pass, unlike the sometimes-stagnant finishes we saw at Phoenix.
Then there’s the new stuff.
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- San Diego Street Course: On June 21, the cars are heading to Naval Base Coronado. It’s the first time they’ve tried a street race on a naval base.
- Chicagoland is Back: After rotting in the sun since 2019, Chicagoland Speedway is officially back on the schedule for July 5.
- North Wilkesboro Points Race: The Window World 450 on July 19 will be the first points-paying race there since 1996.
What Drivers are Dealing with Today
Most people don't realize how much work goes into a Wednesday in mid-January. While fans are waiting for the Clash, the shops in Charlotte are absolute chaos.
Think about it. Kyle Larson is coming off his 2025 championship win. He’s the man with the target on his back. But Denny Hamlin is still chasing that elusive first title after finishing second in the standings last year. Today, those guys aren't at the beach. They're in the simulators. They’re looking at the tire wear data from the North Wilkesboro test. They're trying to figure out if that 750-hp package is going to change their braking points for the short tracks.
Basically, the "race" today is a race against the clock to be ready for Daytona.
The teams are also navigating a massive leadership shift over at Richard Childress Racing. They just announced new competition leadership appointments this morning. When a team like RCR makes big moves this close to the season, it usually means they weren't happy with where the cars were sitting in December.
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Schedule at a Glance
If you’re planning your travel, keep these early-season dates in mind. Everything is coming fast.
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- Feb 1: Cook Out Clash (Bowman Gray Stadium)
- Feb 12: Bluegreen Vacations Duels (Daytona)
- Feb 15: The Daytona 500
- Feb 22: Atlanta Motor Speedway
- March 1: COTA (Austin, Texas)
The move of Watkins Glen to May 10 is another weird one. We’re used to that being a late-summer "calm before the playoffs" race. Now, it’s a spring shootout.
How to Watch and Stay Updated
Since there isn't a live NASCAR Cup Series race today, the best thing you can do is keep an eye on the team previews. NASCAR is rolling these out daily. Today was Front Row Motorsports. Tomorrow, January 15, is Richard Childress Racing. These previews give you the real dirt on who is switching pit crews and which cars have new sponsors.
Also, if you're a fan of the "Great American Race," Daytona just announced the ballfield grass design today. It’s called "Sky Formation," and it’s a tribute to the USAF Thunderbirds. Pretty cool, but it won't help your favorite driver go any faster.
Your Next Steps for the 2026 Season
If you’re serious about following the Cup Series this year, don’t just wait for the Daytona 500.
Start by checking your local listings for the Cook Out Clash on February 1st. It’s on FOX at 8 PM ET. If you haven't seen a race at Bowman Gray, be prepared for some "Madhouse" energy—lots of bumping, lots of tempers, and cars that look like they've been through a meat grinder by lap 50.
You should also download the NASCAR app to track the live telemetry during the upcoming practice sessions. Seeing the RPMs and brake bias in real-time is the only way to really understand why one Ford is outperforming another. Get your fantasy lineups settled now, because once the Duels at Daytona hit, the "silly season" rumors will be replaced by cold, hard lap times.