If you’re refreshing your phone looking for the live standings for today's NASCAR race, I’ve got to be the one to tell you: the engines aren't actually roaring on a Cup Series track this afternoon. It’s January 15, 2026. We are currently in that weird, quiet pocket of time where the haulers are being polished, the crews are caffeinated to the gills, and everyone is staring at the calendar waiting for the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1.
But don't close the tab yet.
Even though there isn't a Cup race today, the "standings" are a massive topic of conversation because NASCAR just blew up the playbook. If you haven't heard, the 2026 season is officially ditching the elimination-style playoffs we’ve known for years. We are going back to The Chase. This change completely alters how we look at the rankings before a single green flag has even dropped. Honestly, the way points are handed out this year makes the "today" version of the standings—which is basically just the 2025 final tally and the new entry list—feel like a totally different animal.
The Standings for Today's NASCAR Race: Where Everyone Starts
Since no points have been earned in 2026 yet, the standings for today's NASCAR race are effectively a clean slate, but the power rankings are dominated by the heavy hitters from last season. We’re looking at a field where Joey Logano, Ryan Blaney, and Kyle Larson are the ones with targets on their backs.
The 2026 roster is wild. We’ve got some major team shifts that affect the projected standings. Rick Ware Racing has officially jumped ship to Chevrolet, forming a technical alliance with Richard Childress Racing. That’s a huge deal for Cody Ware in the No. 51. You’ve also got Ty Dillon back in the No. 10 for Kaulig Racing.
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Here is the "virtual" standing of the top-tier talent heading into the exhibition weeks:
- Hendrick Motorsports: Kyle Larson, Chase Elliott, William Byron, and Alex Bowman are basically the gold standard.
- Joe Gibbs Racing: Denny Hamlin is still hunting that elusive title, now joined by Chase Briscoe in the No. 19.
- Team Penske: The defending Ford powerhouse with Logano and Blaney.
- Trackhouse Racing: Keep an eye on the No. 88 with rookie sensation Connor Zilisch and the No. 97 with Shane van Gisbergen.
It's sorta crazy to think that Zilisch and SVG are going to be full-time Cup guys this year. That changes the dynamic of the "rookie of the year" standings immediately.
Why the 2026 Standings Look Different (The New Points Math)
The reason everyone is obsessed with the standings for today's NASCAR race—even without a race—is the new points structure. NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell recently confirmed that winners now get 55 points instead of 40.
Think about that for a second.
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In the old system, a win was great for the playoffs, but the point gap between 1st and 2nd wasn't massive. Now? A win is a massive catapult. The goal is to reward the "hardcore" fans who hated seeing a consistent driver lose a championship because of one bad afternoon in Phoenix.
The 2026 "Chase" will involve the top 16 drivers based strictly on regular-season points. The "win and you’re in" gimmick? Gone. Dead. Buried. If you win five races but crash out of ten others, you might actually miss the postseason. This makes the live standings during the regular season much more stressful for the "checkers or wreckers" crowd.
What’s Actually Happening on Track Today?
While the Cup cars are silent, the Chili Bowl Nationals are currently tearing it up in Tulsa. Today, January 15, is the Hasty Bake Qualifying Night. If you’re a NASCAR fan, you care about this because Sheldon Creed is making his debut there.
Also, news just broke today that Ricky Stenhouse Jr. is going to make his first-ever Craftsman Truck Series start at Daytona in a few weeks. He’ll be driving the No. 45 Chevrolet for Niece Motorsports. So, while the "standings" are stagnant, the silly season news is still moving fast.
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The 2026 Schedule Shakeup
When we finally do get to the points-paying standings for today's NASCAR race later this spring, the order of tracks is going to feel upside down.
- Homestead-Miami is back as the Championship race (Nov 8).
- Watkins Glen moved to May 10.
- The San Diego Street Race at Naval Base Coronado is the big new wild card on June 21.
- Chicagoland is back on the map for July 5.
Basically, the "standings" in June are going to be a mess because we have so many road courses and street circuits packed together. A driver like SVG could be leading the points just by surviving the right turns.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you want to stay ahead of the curve before the Clash kicks off at Bowman Gray, here is what you should be doing:
- Download the NASCAR App: They’ve updated the interface to reflect the 2026 points system. You’ll want to see how the "projected Chase" looks after the first few laps of the Clash.
- Watch the Chili Bowl: It’s streaming on FloRacing tonight. It’s the best way to see the dirt roots of the guys who will be topping the Cup standings in a few months.
- Check the Entry Lists: Richard Childress Racing and Spire Motorsports have some of the most interesting crew chief swaps this year. Keep an eye on who is turning the wrenches for Kyle Busch; that No. 8 team needs a rebound in the standings.
- Track the "Top 16" specifically: Since winning no longer guarantees a playoff spot, start a spreadsheet or a note on your phone. You need to track total points, not just the "wins" column.
The 2026 season is going to be a grind. It’s a return to form for a sport that realized its fans missed the old way of doing things. The standings for today's NASCAR race might be empty numbers for now, but in three weeks, every single point is going to feel like a war.