If you're waking up today, January 14, 2026, and reaching for the remote to find the nascar race today what channel what time, you might notice the engines in Charlotte or Daytona aren't screaming quite yet. We are in that weird, quiet pocket of the year. The "Great American Race" is coming, but we aren't at the green flag for the Cup Series just yet.
Honestly, the wait is almost over.
While there is no Cup, O'Reilly Auto Parts (formerly Xfinity), or Truck Series race on the pavement today, the racing world is actually buzzing in the dirt. If you are a die-hard looking for a fix, the Chili Bowl Nationals are currently mid-swing in Tulsa. Today, Wednesday, January 14, is York Plumbing Qualifying Night. You can catch that starting at 5 p.m. ET on FloRacing.
Looking for the nascar race today what channel what time?
Since today is a Wednesday in mid-January, the "big" cars are mostly in the shop. But the 2026 schedule is officially locked in, and it's unlike anything we’ve seen in a decade. If you're trying to plan your Sunday afternoons, the wait is less than three weeks.
💡 You might also like: Current Score of the Steelers Game: Why the 30-6 Texans Blowout Changed Everything
The first time you'll see Cup cars beating fenders in 2026 is February 1. That is the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. It's the second year in a row that NASCAR has ditched the LA Coliseum for the "Madhouse" in Winston-Salem. It airs at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
The 2026 Season Opener Breakdown
For those who only care about points racing—the real deal—the calendar starts in February. Here is the immediate path forward for the Cup Series:
- February 12 (Thursday): The Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona. These are the twin 150-mile sprints that set the field for the 500. They start at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.
- February 15 (Sunday): The 68th Running of the Daytona 500. This is the one everyone searches for. It kicks off at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
It's sorta fascinating how the TV landscape has shifted this year. You've got the usual suspects like FOX and NBC, but the 2026 season is the second year of the new media rights deal. That means you’ll need to keep Prime Video and TNT Sports in your rotation once we hit the summer months.
📖 Related: Last Match Man City: Why Newcastle Couldn't Stop the Semenyo Surge
Where to Watch NASCAR in 2026
Basically, the season is a relay race between four different broadcasters. If you're hunting for the nascar race today what channel what time later this year, remember this handoff:
- The FOX Era: FOX and FS1 carry the first 14 events. This includes everything from the Clash through the All-Star Race at Dover on May 17.
- The Amazon Era: Starting May 24 with the Coca-Cola 600, Prime Video takes over for a five-race exclusive stretch.
- The TNT Era: In late June, TNT Sports (and B/R Sports on Max) grabs the baton for the next five races, including the return to Chicagoland on July 5.
- The NBC Era: NBC and USA Network bring it home for the final 14 races, starting August 9 at Iowa.
Significant Changes You Should Know
NASCAR shook the snow globe for 2026. The biggest shocker? Phoenix is no longer the finale. After a long run in the desert, the NASCAR Championship is moving back to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8. It’ll air at 3 p.m. ET on NBC.
We also have a brand new street race. On June 21, the Cup Series heads to San Diego for the Anduril 250 at Naval Base Coronado. That one is a Prime Video exclusive. It's a massive play to capture the Southern California market after leaving Fontana and the Coliseum.
👉 See also: Cowboys Score: Why Dallas Just Can't Finish the Job When it Matters
Why the Schedule Matters Today
Even though you can't watch a Cup race this afternoon, today is actually a big day for team news. Front Row Motorsports is scheduled to release its 2026 season preview today. With the team expanding to three charters, fans are waiting to see how they’ll stack up against the heavy hitters like Hendrick and Gibbs.
If you're itching for action right this second, your best bet is streaming. NASCAR Classics has a massive library of every race ever recorded, and it's free. Or, if you want live-action, hit up FloRacing for the Chili Bowl qualifying tonight. You'll see guys like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell sliding around in the dirt, which is usually more entertaining than a standard practice session anyway.
Your Next Steps
To make sure you don't miss the green flag when the season actually starts:
- Download the NASCAR App: It's the easiest way to get "Start Time" alerts pushed to your phone so you aren't searching at the last minute.
- Check your Prime subscription: Since Amazon has a five-race exclusive window (starting May 24), make sure your login works before the Coca-Cola 600.
- Sync your calendar: Most team websites, like RFK Racing or Hendrick Motorsports, offer a "Sync to Calendar" feature that puts every race time directly into your Google or Outlook calendar, adjusted for your local time zone.
The engines are quiet for now, but in just 18 days, the "Madhouse" is going to remind everyone why we love this sport.