The dirt is still settling in Tulsa. If you were looking for the standard NASCAR leaderboard today's race results, you might have been surprised to find the Cup Series regulars trading their heavy stock cars for 900-pound midget cars at the SageNet Center.
It was the 40th running of the Chili Bowl Nationals. Honestly, it was pure carnage.
While the official Cup Series season doesn't kick off until the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1, today—Sunday, January 18, 2026—belongs to a 21-year-old named Emerson Axsom. He didn't just win; he survived a field of nearly 400 drivers to hoist the Golden Driller.
Why Today’s NASCAR Leaderboard Looks Different
You've probably noticed there aren't any points on the board yet. That's because the Chili Bowl is the ultimate "offseason" flex for NASCAR's elite.
Today's results are a mix of heartbreak for the big names and a life-changing moment for a kid from Indiana. Kyle Larson, our reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, was the heavy favorite. He started on the pole. He looked untouchable.
Then, Lap 16 happened.
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Larson caught a slow car on the backstretch, clipped it, and his car went for a ride. He flipped. Just like that, the most dominant driver in the world was out of the running. It’s a reminder that on dirt, the leaderboard can flip—literally—in half a second.
The Final Standings from Tulsa (January 17-18)
Emerson Axsom took the win after a wild 55-lap finale. He had to fend off a late-race charge from Kevin Thomas Jr., who basically came out of nowhere after starting 18th.
Here is how the front of the pack finished:
- Winner: Emerson Axsom (Driver for Swindell Motorsports)
- 2nd Place: Kevin Thomas Jr. (Charging from the back)
- 3rd Place: Hank Davis
- 4th Place: Logan Seavey (Axsom’s teammate who nearly stole it)
- 5th Place: Briggs Danner
- 6th Place: Daison Pursley
- 7th Place: Cannon McIntosh
- 8th Place: Christopher Bell (The Joe Gibbs Racing star and 3-time winner)
Christopher Bell was another Cup Series regular who had high hopes. He won his preliminary night earlier in the week, but the "A-Main" finale is a different beast. He finished 8th, which, for a guy with three Driller trophies at home, probably feels like a loss.
The Cup Series Stars: How They Fared
It wasn't just Larson and Bell out there representing the Sunday afternoon crowd.
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Ty Gibbs made his return to the dirt, but it was a rough week for him. He finished 14th in Tuesday's preliminary feature and didn't make the big splash many expected. Sheldon Creed, making his Chili Bowl debut, showed some speed early but ended up 24th in his prelim.
Then there’s Corey Day. He’s the name you’re going to hear a lot of this year because he’s confirmed for a full NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series (Xfinity) season with Hendrick Motorsports. He finished 6th in Wednesday's prelim, proving he’s got the hands to handle high-pressure situations.
Looking Ahead: The Real NASCAR Leaderboard Today's Race Countdown
If you came here looking for the 2026 Cup Series standings, you're a couple of weeks early. But the schedule is officially locked in, and it’s a weird one this year.
We are exactly 14 days away from the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
NASCAR is moving the preseason exhibition to Winston-Salem on February 1. It’s a quarter-mile "Madhouse" that’s going to make the LA Coliseum look like a wide-open highway. Expect tempers. Expect bumpers. Expect a leaderboard that looks like a demolition derby results sheet.
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Key Dates for the 2026 Season
The 2026 season is shaking things up. For starters, the Championship Race is leaving Phoenix. We are heading back to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8 to crown a champ.
- Feb 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray (Non-points)
- Feb 15: The DAYTONA 500 (The Big One)
- June 21: The San Diego Street Course (Inaugural race at Naval Base Coronado)
- July 5: Chicagoland Speedway (It’s back!)
- Nov 8: Championship Race at Homestead-Miami
What to Watch in the Coming Weeks
Basically, the "silly season" is over, and the "real season" is looming.
Keep an eye on the Haas Factory Team. Cole Custer is back in the Cup Series in the No. 41 Chevrolet. Also, the Trackhouse Racing stable is getting crowded with Shane van Gisbergen and the rookie sensation Connor Zilisch in the No. 88.
If you’re tracking the nascar leaderboard today's race, your next big update will be the Daytona Duels on February 12. That’s when the points don’t count yet, but the starting grid for the Daytona 500 is decided.
For now, give it up for Emerson Axsom. He beat the best in the world on a tiny dirt track in Oklahoma while the rest of the NASCAR world was still waking up from winter break.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync Your Calendar: Mark February 1 for the Clash at Bowman Gray. It starts at 8:00 PM ET on FOX.
- Check the Entry List: The Daytona 500 entry list usually drops in late January; look for open teams like Legacy Motor Club’s No. 84 with Jimmie Johnson.
- Rewatch the Chili Bowl: If you missed Axsom’s slide job on Larson, find the highlights on FloRacing or NASCAR’s social channels—it was a masterclass in dirt racing.