Today is January 17, 2026. If you’re looking for a NASCAR Cup Series finishing order from a paved superspeedway or a cookie-cutter 1.5-mile track, you’re actually a few weeks too early. The Cup Series doesn’t officially kick off until the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1. But don't click away just yet.
Honestly, the most important finishing order for today's nascar race stars isn't happening on asphalt. It’s happening in a dirt arena in Oklahoma.
We are currently at the climax of the 2026 Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa. This is the "Super Bowl of Midget Racing," and for guys like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell, today’s result is arguably just as important as a mid-summer win at Pocono. The Saturday finale at the SageNet Center is where the "Alphabet Soup" reaches its boiling point.
What’s happening in Tulsa right now?
Right now, drivers are clawing through a literal alphabet of races—starting from the M-Mains and L-Mains this morning—trying to transfer into the big show.
✨ Don't miss: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
Basically, the finishing order for today's nascar race entrants in these lower features determines who even gets a shot at the Driller trophy tonight. Kyle Larson already locked himself into the A-Main by winning his Monday preliminary. He looked untouchable, despite a little scrap with a lapped car that he later admitted "calmed the race down" for him. Christopher Bell followed suit on Thursday, charging from 8th to 1st in a performance that reminded everyone why he’s a three-time champion of this event.
The NASCAR names to watch today
You’ve got a heavy hitting list of Cup and Xfinity regulars trying to prove they haven't forgotten their roots. Here is how some of the big names are positioned for the final push:
- Kyle Larson: Already locked into the A-Main. He’s the defending event winner and is chasing his fourth Driller.
- Christopher Bell: Also locked in. He’s racing his own equipment this year (CBell Racing), which he mentioned was making him "ready to puke" with stress earlier in the week.
- Jesse Love: The 2025 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series champion (formerly Xfinity) is a dirt ace who’s been fast all week.
- Ty Gibbs: He had a bit of a rougher preliminary night, finishing 14th on Tuesday. He’ll be fighting through the B-Mains today to try and secure one of those final transfer spots.
- Corey Day: The Hendrick Motorsports prospect. People are calling him the next Larson for a reason. He finished 6th in his Wednesday prelim.
Why this finishing order matters for the 2026 Cup Season
You might think dirt midgets have nothing to do with Next Gen Cup cars. You'd be wrong.
🔗 Read more: NFL Pick 'em Predictions: Why You're Probably Overthinking the Divisional Round
The skills required to rotate a car on a tiny dirt oval translated directly to the high-stakes restarts we saw in the 2025 Cup Championship. Remember, Larson won that title just a few months ago on a two-tire pit stop call at Phoenix. That kind of "find grip where there is none" mentality is exactly what gets honed today in Tulsa.
If you're tracking the finishing order for today's nascar race participants, keep an eye on the transfer spots. In the B-Mains, only the top seven move up. It is brutal. One slide job gone wrong and your week is over.
Looking ahead to the "Real" NASCAR start
While the dirt is flying today, the factory teams are back in Charlotte prepping for the February 1st Clash at Bowman Gray. After that, we hit the Daytona 500 on February 15th.
💡 You might also like: Why the Marlins Won World Series Titles Twice and Then Disappeared
The 2026 schedule is a weird one, honestly. We’re heading back to Chicagoland Speedway in July, which has fans split. Some love the nostalgia; others wonder if the racing will actually be good there with the current aero package. But for today, the only thing that matters is the 55-lap A-Main in Tulsa.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to follow the live results as they happen throughout the afternoon:
- Check FloRacing: They have the exclusive livestream for every single main event today, from the I-Mains to the finale.
- Watch the "Transfer" Spots: Don't just look at who wins. Look at who finishes 7th in the B-Main. That’s the most high-pressure seat in motorsports today.
- Monitor social media for "The Pole Shuffle": This unique format determines the starting lineup for the top drivers tonight. It's basically a series of mini-races that can completely flip the script for Larson or Bell.
The final A-Main typically takes the green flag late tonight (around 11:00 PM ET). By then, we’ll know if a NASCAR regular took home the hardware or if a dirt specialist pulled off the upset.
Keep your eyes on those transfer results; they tell the real story of the day.
Next Steps for You: Check the live scoring on the Chili Bowl's official site to see which NASCAR drivers successfully navigated the B-Mains. Once the final A-Main concludes, I can provide a detailed breakdown of the top 10 finishers and how the race-winning move was made.