It is mid-January, which basically means if you are a racing fan, you’re currently staring at your calendar and counting down the seconds until the Daytona 500. Honestly, we all are. But while the "Big Show" in Florida is still a few weeks away, the engines are definitely already screaming. If you're looking for today's NASCAR race time and channel, you aren't going to find the Cup Series stars on your usual cable networks just yet.
Today is Friday, January 16, 2026.
The heavy hitters like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are currently out in Tulsa for the Chili Bowl, but the actual NASCAR-sanctioned action for the day is happening at Tucson Speedway. It’s the "Chilly Willy" weekend. This isn't just some local dirt track session; it's a massive crown jewel event for the NASCAR Regional properties, specifically the Super Late Models.
When to watch and where to find the stream
If you’re trying to find this on FOX or FS1, you can stop scrolling through your guide. You won't find it there. For the Friday, Jan. 16 slate, the green flag for the main features is set for 7:45 p.m. ET.
The "channel" is actually FloRacing.
Since this falls under the NASCAR Regional umbrella, FloRacing has the exclusive rights to the broadcast. You’ve basically got a full evening of racing starting with qualifying earlier in the afternoon, but the real show starts when the sun goes down in Arizona.
🔗 Read more: NFL Week 5 2025 Point Spreads: What Most People Get Wrong
Here is how the timing breaks down for today:
- Front Gates Open: 4:00 p.m. local time
- Qualifying (Super Late Models/Legends): 4:00 p.m.
- Opening Ceremonies: 5:55 p.m.
- Feature Racing (including 50-lap Super Late Models): Starts at 6:00 p.m. local / 8:00 p.m. ET.
Wait, I should clarify. The broadcast stream usually kicks off a bit earlier to catch the heat races, so if you want to see the full "today's NASCAR race time and channel" experience, be logged into FloRacing by 7:45 p.m. ET to make sure you don't miss the first set of tires screaming off the line.
Why the Chilly Willy matters for the 2026 season
You might think, "Why am I watching Late Models in Arizona?"
Well, because this is where the talent is grown. Tucson Speedway is one of those legendary paved short tracks where the setups are incredibly finicky. It’s a technical beast. The Chilly Willy 150 (the main event is Sunday, but today is the critical qualifying and preliminary feature night) attracts the best short-trackers in the country.
NASCAR fans often get tunnel vision focusing only on the Cup Series. But the regional series are where you see the rawest form of the sport. No huge pit crews, no billion-dollar motorhomes. Just a driver, a crew chief, and a lot of grit.
💡 You might also like: Bethany Hamilton and the Shark: What Really Happened That Morning
What about the Cup Series?
I know some of you are here because you're looking for the 2026 Cup Series schedule. It’s coming. The first time you'll need your TV remote for a Cup race is February 1, 2026, for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. That one will be on FOX at 8:00 p.m. ET.
But that is two weeks away.
Right now, the only way to get your fix is through the streaming platforms. It’s kinda the new reality of racing. Between FloRacing for the grassroots stuff and the upcoming Amazon Prime/TNT mid-season shifts we're going to see later this year, being a race fan in 2026 requires a pretty decent internet connection.
Watching the Chili Bowl tonight too
If you have a dual-monitor setup or a very patient spouse, you should know that the 40th running of the Chili Bowl Nationals is also happening tonight in Tulsa. While it’s technically "midget racing" and not a NASCAR points event, the field is basically a NASCAR "who’s who."
Christopher Bell just locked himself into the Saturday finale with a massive win last night. Kyle Larson is already in. Tonight, Friday the 16th, is the final preliminary night before the "alphabet soup" of races on Saturday.
📖 Related: Simona Halep and the Reality of Tennis Player Breast Reduction
Like the Chilly Willy, the Chili Bowl is also on FloRacing.
Basically, if you pay for the subscription today, you’re getting two of the biggest "off-season" races at the same time. The Chili Bowl action starts around 5:00 p.m. ET with the heat races and runs late into the night.
What most people get wrong about January racing
A lot of folks think NASCAR "starts" with the Daytona 500.
Technically, the points season does. But the industry never really sleeps. If you aren't watching these January races, you're missing the context for the rest of the year. You're missing the storylines of the young guys who will eventually be taking over the seats at Joe Gibbs Racing or Hendrick Motorsports in three years.
Also, the "Chilly Willy" name isn't just a marketing gimmick. Tucson gets surprisingly cold in January once that sun drops behind the mountains. The track surface changes drastically as the temperature falls, which makes the 50-lap features tonight a nightmare for guys who set their cars up during the 4:00 p.m. heat.
Actionable steps for tonight
To make sure you're actually watching and not just reading about it, here is what you need to do:
- Check your FloRacing login: If you don't have one, you'll need a subscription. There isn't a "per-race" buy for this; it’s usually an annual or monthly deal that covers all NASCAR Regional and grassroots events.
- Sync your clocks: If you’re on the East Coast, remember Tucson is currently two hours behind you. When they say "racing at 6:00," they mean 8:00 p.m. for you.
- Watch the tire wear: In Tucson, the pavement is abrasive. Watch the drivers who save their stuff in the first 20 laps of tonight's Super Late Model feature. Those are the ones who will dominate the 150-lap main event on Sunday.
If you’re looking for the big heavy stock cars, mark your calendar for the Bowman Gray Clash on Feb 1. But for tonight, it's all about the short tracks and the streaming apps.