Honestly, if you’re looking for a massive pack of stock cars screaming around a 2.5-mile superspeedway today, you’re a few weeks early. The engines at Daytona haven't fired up for points yet. But that doesn’t mean there isn't a trophy being hoisted. If we’re talking about nascar race today winners, we have to look toward the dirt of Tulsa, Oklahoma, where the biggest names in the Cup Series are currently getting sideways at the Chili Bowl Nationals.
It’s January 15, 2026. While the "official" season-opening Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium is still a couple of weeks away (set for February 1st), the racing world is hyper-focused on the SageNet Center.
Who actually won?
Earlier this week, Kyle Larson reminded everyone why he’s the defending Cup Series champion. He didn't just win; he dominated Monday’s preliminary feature. He started fourth, took the lead by lap 10, and despite a late-race "oops" with a lapped car driven by Gaige Weldon, he cruised to his ninth career prelim win.
Then there’s Christopher Bell. He’s the other big story. Bell took the checkered flag in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Race of Champions on Monday night. It was a flag-to-flag victory, but it wasn't easy. He admitted afterward he was "ready to puke" from the stress of being an owner-driver this year. That’s a side of these guys we rarely see on a Sunday afternoon in a multimillion-dollar Hendrick or Gibbs ride.
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Why the Chili Bowl is the Secret 2026 Season Opener
Most casual fans wait for the Daytona 500 on February 15th. That’s fair. It’s the Super Bowl of the sport. But for the die-hards tracking nascar race today winners, the dirt track results in January are the first real data points we get for the new year.
Think about it. You’ve got Larson, Bell, Ty Gibbs, and Chase Briscoe all mixing it up in Midget cars.
- Kyle Larson: Already locked into Saturday’s A-Main championship feature.
- Christopher Bell: Proved his equipment is top-tier by winning the ROC.
- Ty Gibbs: Had a rougher go, finishing 14th in Tuesday’s A-Main, but the experience is what counts.
These guys aren't just there for fun. They use this to sharpen their reflexes before the brutal 36-race Cup schedule kicks off. If you see a driver "hot" in Tulsa, they usually carry that momentum into the Florida sun.
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Looking Ahead: The 2026 Schedule Shakeup
Since there wasn't a Cup race on asphalt today, let's talk about what's coming, because the 2026 schedule is wild. NASCAR basically threw the old playbook out the window.
First off, the Clash is moving to Bowman Gray Stadium in North Carolina. If you’ve never seen a race there, it’s basically a high-speed boxing match in a football stadium. It’s called "The Madhouse" for a reason. Expect a lot of torn-up sheet metal and at least one driver trying to climb into someone else's window net.
Big Changes You Need to Know:
- The Return of the Chase: NASCAR officially brought back the "Chase" format. The "win-and-you’re-in" era is dead. Now, the top 16 drivers on points after 26 races get in. It rewards consistency again, which honestly, a lot of fans have been begging for.
- Point Overhaul: Winning a race now nets you 55 points instead of 40. They really want that first-place finish to mean something more than just a trophy.
- The San Diego Street Race: On June 21st, we’re going to see Cup cars racing at Naval Base Coronado. A street race in San Diego? It’s going to be a logistical nightmare and a visual masterpiece.
- Homestead is Back: The championship isn't ending in Phoenix this year. We're going back to Homestead-Miami on November 8th. This is a huge win for fans who missed the multi-groove racing of the Florida 1.5-mile track.
The Reality of the "Off-Season"
People think NASCAR drivers spend January on a beach. Some do. But the ones winning championships are usually in a garage somewhere.
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Take a look at the "Silly Season" moves that are just now becoming "real" on the track. Daniel Suárez moved over to Spire Motorsports. Noah Gragson is now the face of Front Row Motorsports’ No. 4 car. Even the crew chiefs are playing musical chairs—Randall Burnett moved over to work with the rookie phenom Connor Zilisch at Trackhouse.
When we talk about nascar race today winners, we’re often talking about who won the offseason. Right now, Chevrolet looks incredibly strong. They unveiled a new body style for the ZL1 back in November, based on the Carbon Performance Package, and the wind tunnel numbers are reportedly "scary good" according to some of the Hendrick camp.
What to Watch Next
If you're looking for the next big winner, keep your eyes on the Chili Bowl finals this Saturday. It’s the closest thing to a "today" winner you'll get until the Duels at Daytona.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the TV Listings: The Chili Bowl finals air on FloRacing this Saturday night. If you want to see Larson and Bell go head-to-head on dirt, that’s your spot.
- Set Your DVR for Feb 1: The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray starts at 8:00 PM ET on FOX. It will be the first time we see the 2026 Cup cars in a competitive environment.
- Update Your Fantasy Roster: With the new points system, you need to prioritize drivers who finish in the top 5 consistently, not just the "checkers or wreckers" types who flourished under the old playoff rules.
The 2026 season is going to be a grind. Between the return of the Chase and the move to Homestead for the finale, every lap matters more than it has in a decade.