Honestly, if you're looking for the nascar today race time because you're ready to see cars drafting at 200 mph this afternoon, I've got some news that might sting a bit. There is no race today, January 15, 2026.
I know, I know. You probably saw some chatter on social media or heard someone mention "NASCAR" and "Thursday" in the same breath. But here is the reality: we are currently in the deep freeze of the off-season. The engines are quiet, the haulers are parked, and the drivers are mostly busy doing "content days" or shivering in North Carolina while they wait for February to arrive.
Why you thought there was a race today
There’s a reason people keep searching for a start time this week. Today, January 15, is actually a massive day for Richard Childress Racing. It’s their official 2026 season preview day. NASCAR.com and various media outlets are dropping deep dives into Austin Dillon’s outlook and team rosters right now. It’s "news" day, not "race" day.
Also, we’re exactly one month away from the Daytona 500. The hype is starting to boil over. People are getting their DVRs ready, checking their YouTube TV subscriptions, and accidentally searching for race times weeks before the green flag actually drops.
When is the first real NASCAR today race time?
If you want to mark your calendar for when the waiting finally ends, here is the breakdown of the first green flags of 2026.
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The season technically kicks off with an exhibition. The Cook Out Clash is returning to Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, February 1, 2026. The race time is set for 8:00 PM ET on FOX. If you’ve never seen a race at "The Madhouse," it’s basically a localized riot with mufflers. It’s short-track racing in its most aggressive, claustrophobic form.
After that, the "real" points season starts at Daytona.
- The Duels at Daytona: Thursday, February 12, at 7:00 PM ET. This is the closest we get to a "Thursday Night Football" vibe in racing.
- The Daytona 500: Sunday, February 15, at 2:30 PM ET on FOX. This is the big one. The Super Bowl of racing happens at the start of the year, which is still a weird concept if you think about it too long.
Huge 2026 changes you need to know
NASCAR basically threw the 2025 rulebook in the shredder over the winter. If you haven't been keeping up with the "Silly Season" updates, the 2026 season is going to look radically different from what you remember.
The biggest bombshell? "The Chase" is back. Starting this September, NASCAR is ditching the elimination-style "Playoff" rounds (the Round of 16, 12, 8, etc.) and returning to a 10-race postseason format. It’s a move that rewards full-season consistency. They’re also killing the "win-and-you're-in" rule. You can’t just luck into a win at a superspeedway and coast the rest of the year anymore. You need points. A lot of them.
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We’re also seeing a massive schedule shakeup. For the first time since 2019, the championship isn't ending in the desert. Homestead-Miami Speedway is reclaiming its throne as the host of the Championship Race on November 8, 2026. Ask any driver—they vastly prefer the multi-groove racing at Homestead over the "track position" battle at Phoenix.
The 2026 Schedule at a Glance
Since there's no nascar today race time to track, you should probably prep for the spring stretch. The 2026 calendar has some wild additions, including a street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego on June 21 and the return of Chicagoland Speedway on July 5.
Here is what the start of the season looks like once things actually get moving:
The first month is a grind through the Sun Belt. You’ve got the high banks of Atlanta on February 22 (3:00 PM ET), followed by a trip to the road course at COTA on March 1 (3:30 PM ET). If you're a fan of the short tracks, Bristol (April 12) and Martinsville (March 29) are staying in their traditional spots, but keep an eye on the TV networks. The CW is taking over the Xfinity Series (now officially the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series) entirely this year, so don't go looking for those races on USA or FS1.
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What should you do today?
Since you can't watch a race today, the best move is to get your "Fan Rewards" account sorted. NASCAR has been leaning hard into their loyalty program, and you can actually earn points just by checking into the virtual garage or watching the season preview videos that dropped this morning for the RCR guys.
Also, if you're planning on attending a race this year, check the ticket prices for North Wilkesboro. It's officially a points-paying race again on July 19. That place is going to be a sell-out nightmare if you wait until the summer to buy.
Actionable Next Steps:
- Sync your calendar: Go to the official NASCAR site and download the .ics file for the 2026 Cup Series schedule so you don't get caught looking for a race time on an off-week again.
- Check your TV package: Ensure you have access to FOX, FS1, and The CW. If you're a cord-cutter, make sure your streaming service carries your local FOX affiliate.
- Research the new points system: Since "The Chase" is back, wins now pay 55 points instead of 40. This changes the strategy for "stage points" significantly.