If you just sat down on your couch, remote in hand, wondering what time is nascar on today, I’ve got some bad news. You’re early.
Like, way early.
Right now, it’s mid-January. The engines are cold. The haulers are still parked in the shops in North Carolina. While the 2026 schedule is officially out and looks absolutely wild, we are currently in that weird, quiet pocket of the off-season where drivers are mostly just posting gym selfies or vacation photos.
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Honestly, the wait is almost over, but today just isn't the day.
The 2026 Schedule: When the Green Flag Finally Drops
So, when do we actually get back to racing?
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season doesn't kick off its competitive engine until February 1, 2026. That’s when we get the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. This is a huge deal because it's the first time NASCAR has run a sanctioned event at "The Madhouse" since 1971.
If you’re looking for the points-paying, "real" season opener, you’re circling Sunday, February 15 on your calendar for the Daytona 500.
Key Dates for Your Calendar
- Sunday, Feb 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (8:00 PM ET on FOX)
- Thursday, Feb 12: The Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona (7:00 PM ET on FS1)
- Friday, Feb 13: Craftsman Truck Series Opener (7:30 PM ET on FS1)
- Saturday, Feb 14: O'Reilly Auto Parts Series (Xfinity) Opener (5:00 PM ET on The CW)
- Sunday, Feb 15: The 68th Annual Daytona 500 (2:30 PM ET on FOX)
Basically, if you were searching for what time is nascar on today, you’ve got about two weeks of waiting left before the exhibition stuff starts and a full month before the Great American Race.
What’s Changing in 2026?
NASCAR didn't just copy-paste the schedule from last year. They’ve moved things around in a way that’s kinda shocking if you’ve been following the sport for a while.
Chicagoland Speedway is back. Yeah, the track in Joliet that everyone thought was dead and buried is returning to the schedule on July 5. To make room for it, the Chicago Street Race is gone. It was a cool experiment, but apparently, the city and NASCAR decided to go back to a traditional oval.
Then there’s the San Diego race. On June 21, the Cup Series is heading to Naval Base Coronado for the "Anduril 250." It’s a temporary road course on an actual military base. That’s the kind of logic that only makes sense in modern NASCAR, but it’ll probably look incredible on TV.
The New TV Landscape
You might get confused trying to find the races this year. The media rights deal is in full swing.
- FOX and FS1 have the first half of the season (through the end of April).
- Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports are jumping in for a mid-summer stretch.
- NBC and USA Network take over for the playoffs and the run to the championship.
- The CW is now the exclusive home for the Xfinity Series (rebranded as the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series). Every single race. No more jumping between channels.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Off-Season
People think the drivers just go into hibernation. They don't.
Right now, teams like Hendrick Motorsports and Joe Gibbs Racing are in the middle of their "Season Previews." Today, January 14, is actually the scheduled day for Front Row Motorsports to show off their 2026 outlook. Tomorrow it's Richard Childress Racing.
They are building cars, testing simulators, and trying to figure out how to beat the Penske Fords, which have been dominant lately.
Also, don't forget the Rolex 24 at Daytona. While it’s not a NASCAR race, you’ll see plenty of NASCAR faces over at the Daytona road course from January 22–25. It’s an endurance race for sports cars, but guys like Kyle Larson or Chase Elliott often pop up there to keep their skills sharp during the "break."
Why the Clash at Bowman Gray Matters
If you've never seen a race at Bowman Gray, get ready for chaos. It’s a quarter-mile track that circles a football field. It’s tight. It’s flat. It’s basically a localized riot with mufflers.
Moving the Clash from the LA Coliseum to Winston-Salem is a "back to the roots" move for NASCAR. It’s only 200 laps, which sounds like a lot, but on a track that small, it’s over in a heartbeat.
The start time is 8:00 PM ET on February 1. It’s going under the lights, which is exactly how "The Madhouse" should be experienced.
Actionable Steps for the Race Fan
Since you can't watch a race today, here is how you should spend your time to get ready for February:
- Check your subscriptions: Make sure you have access to The CW if you want to watch the Xfinity races, and keep an eye on your Amazon Prime login for the summer Cup races.
- Update your calendar: Set a reminder for the Daytona 500 at 2:30 PM ET on February 15. That is the one you cannot miss.
- Follow the "Season Previews": Check the official NASCAR socials today to see what Front Row Motorsports is cooking up for the 2026 season.
- Watch the Rolex 24: If you’re craving loud engines, tune into NBC/Peacock next weekend (Jan 24-25) to see the IMSA guys (and some NASCAR drivers) tear up the Daytona road course.
The wait for the 2026 season is almost over. We’re just a few weeks away from hearing "Drivers, start your engines" at Bowman Gray.