Honestly, if you're waking up today, January 15, 2026, and wondering what time do the nascar race today, I’ve got a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation for you. The bad news? There isn't a Cup Series engine firing up for a points race right this second. The good news? We are effectively on the doorstep of one of the most chaotic and experimental seasons in the history of stock car racing.
Right now, the garages are humming, but the grandstands are empty. We’re in that weird, quiet pocket of January where teams like Richard Childress Racing—who, funny enough, are actually having their official season preview today—are finalizing their setups. If you’re looking for cars on track, you’re just a few days early. The first real action kicks off tomorrow, January 16, with the Roar Before the 24 at Daytona, though that’s technically IMSA sports cars, not the heavy stock cars we're used to seeing on Sundays.
The Real Start: When the Green Flag Drops
So, if you’re asking about the actual Cup Series, the wait is almost over. You’ve probably seen the schedule leaks and the official drops by now, but the timing for the 2026 opener is a bit different than the old-school tradition.
The first time you'll see a Cup car in a competitive environment this year is Sunday, February 1, 2026. That’s the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. Mark your calendar for 8:00 PM ET. It’s going to be under the lights at "The Madhouse" in Winston-Salem. If you’ve never seen a race at Bowman Gray, imagine a local high school football stadium with a flat quarter-mile track around the field. It’s tight. It’s aggressive. It’s basically a legal version of a parking lot brawl.
2026 Early Season Kickoff Times
- February 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium – 8:00 PM ET (FOX)
- February 12: The Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona – 7:00 PM ET (FS1)
- February 13: Craftsman Truck Series Opener – 7:30 PM ET (FS1)
- February 14: NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (Xfinity) – 5:00 PM ET (The CW)
- February 15: The DAYTONA 500 – 2:30 PM ET (FOX)
That February 15th date is the one everyone circles. The Daytona 500 is the Super Bowl, but we play it at the start of the year. If you're trying to figure out what time do the nascar race today for the big one, 2:30 PM ET is your magic number. FOX is handling the broadcast again, and hopefully, the Florida weather cooperates better than it did back in '24.
Why the 2026 Schedule Feels So Different
NASCAR is definitely in its "experimental phase" lately. We aren't just doing the same old loop of 1.5-mile intermediate tracks.
The 2026 season is throwing some serious curveballs. For one, we’re going to a street course at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego on June 21st. That’s a 4:00 PM ET start on Amazon Prime. Yeah, you heard that right. Prime Video is now a major player in the mid-summer stretch.
Also, the finale isn't at Phoenix this year. After a long run out West, the championship is moving back to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8th. It feels right, honestly. Homestead has that multi-groove racing that actually lets drivers pass for the lead, rather than just getting stuck in "dirty air" for 300 miles.
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How to Watch (It’s Kinda Complicated Now)
You sort of need a spreadsheet to keep track of where to watch these races in 2026. The TV rights deal is split up more than a Thanksgiving turkey.
FOX and FS1 take the first half, basically through the end of May. Then, Amazon Prime takes over for five races starting with the Coca-Cola 600 at Charlotte (which, by the way, starts at 6:00 PM ET on May 24). After the Prime stint, TNT Sports jumps in for another five-race stretch. Finally, NBC and USA Network bring us home for the playoffs.
If you're a fan of the Xfinity Series—or as it’s now called, the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series—you’re looking at The CW for almost every single race. They’ve really leaned into being the home for the "Saturday afternoon" crowd.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you're itching for racing right now, here is exactly what you should do to stay ahead of the curve:
First, download the official NASCAR App and sync the schedule to your phone’s calendar. Because of the new TV deals, start times are shifting slightly to accommodate West Coast viewers and streaming windows.
Second, if you're planning on watching the Daytona 500 on February 15, double-check your local listings for any pre-race shows. Usually, the "green flag" time (2:30 PM ET) is the actual start of the engines, but the broadcast usually starts an hour earlier.
Third, keep an eye on the Roar Before the 24 results this weekend. While it’s sports cars, a lot of NASCAR names like Kyle Larson or Chase Elliott often pop up in these endurance entries to sharpen their skills before the Cup season starts. It’s the best way to scratch that racing itch while the stock cars are still being polished in the shop.
The wait is almost over. In just a couple of weeks, we'll stop asking what time do the nascar race today and start complaining about the officiating—just like the good old days.