Honestly, the garage area in Charlotte is buzzing right now. If you were looking for a checkered flag to drop today, January 14, 2026, you're going to have to wait just a bit longer for the actual engines to fire. We are officially in the "Silly Season" home stretch. The real update on NASCAR race today isn't about a trophy being hoisted this afternoon—it's about the massive bombshell NASCAR just dropped regarding how those trophies will be won from here on out.
NASCAR just confirmed they are killing the "playoff" elimination format as we know it.
The Return of The Chase
It's official. For the 2026 season, we are going back to the future. NASCAR is bringing back "The Chase." They’ve spent the last two years studying why fans were getting frustrated, and the consensus was pretty clear: the "winner-take-all" finale at Phoenix was starting to feel a bit too much like a coin toss.
Remember last year? Denny Hamlin absolutely dominated the season, but a late caution at Phoenix basically handed the title to Kyle Larson, who hadn't won a race in 25 starts leading up to that night.
That was the breaking point.
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The new 2026 format—which they're calling "The Chase" again—will feature the top 16 drivers. But here is the kicker: no more eliminations every three rounds. No more "Round of 12" or "Round of 8" stress-fests where one bad alternator ruins a season. Instead, it’s a 10-race points haul. The driver with the most points after the finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8 wins it all. Simple.
Speedweeks is Closer Than You Think
Even though there isn't a Cup race today, the countdown to the Daytona 500 is getting real. We are exactly 32 days away from the Great American Race on February 15. But the real action starts even sooner.
The 2026 season actually kicks off at a place called "The Madhouse." That’s Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem. The Cook Out Clash is set for Sunday, February 1. If you haven't seen racing at Bowman Gray, it’s basically a localized riot with mufflers. It’s a 0.25-mile flat oval around a football field. You’re going to see a lot of crumpled sheet metal and probably a few drivers trying to climb into each other's window nets.
Today, Joe Gibbs Racing (JGR) actually made a big move by signing a multi-year deal with Free Bird Southern Spring Water. It’s those kinds of sponsorship updates that keep the lights on, but for fans, the real news is the health of the roster. Brad Keselowski is still recovering from that nasty skiing accident that broke his leg, and we just got word today that Corey LaJoie is officially subbing for him at the Clash.
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What Happened to Greg Biffle?
We have to talk about the somber news that’s still hanging over the sport today. It’s been a rough few weeks following the tragic plane crash that took the life of NASCAR legend Greg Biffle and his family back in December.
Today, reports surfaced that burglars actually targeted Biffle’s home in North Carolina, stealing roughly $30,000 in cash. It’s a gut-punch of a story during an already miserable time for the racing community. On a lighter note, popular YouTuber Cleetus McFarland (Garrett Mitchell) reiterated today that he’s racing the ARCA opener at Daytona on February 14 with a "Be Like Biff" tribute on his car. He's gunning for a Daytona 500 spot in the future to honor his friend.
The 2026 Schedule Shakeup
If you're planning your travel, the update on NASCAR race today includes some wild changes to the 38-race slate.
- San Diego Street Course: We’re going to Naval Base Coronado on June 21. A street race on a military base? Yeah, that’s happening.
- Chicagoland is Back: After years in the wilderness, Chicagoland Speedway returns on July 5.
- The Finale Move: Phoenix is out as the championship host. Homestead-Miami is back in the spotlight for the November 8 finale.
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell basically admitted today that they wanted to reward "driver and team performance each and every race." To do that, they’ve boosted the points for a win. A victory now nets you 55 points instead of 40. They want guys to stop "points racing" and start dive-bombing for the lead again.
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Front Row Motorsports Preview
NASCAR.com is currently running through team previews, and today’s focus was Front Row Motorsports (FRM). They’ve expanded to three cars with Noah Gragson, Todd Gilliland, and Zane Smith. Gragson is looking for a bounce-back year after 8 DNFs last season. Honestly, he needs to keep the car in one piece if he wants to make the new 10-race Chase.
Actionable Steps for Fans
If you're trying to keep up with the update on NASCAR race today, don't just wait for the TV broadcast.
- Check the Streaming Specs: For 2026, the broadcast rights are split. You’ll need FOX/FS1 for the start, then HBO Max (for the TNT races), and Peacock for the NBC stretch.
- Daytona 500 Qualifying: Set your calendars for February 11. That’s when the front row for the 500 is locked in.
- The Chili Bowl: While we wait for the big cars, Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are currently tearing it up at the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa. Larson just won his preliminary feature on Monday, and Bell won the Race of Champions. If you need a racing fix tonight, that’s where the dirt is flying.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be the biggest pivot point for the sport since the introduction of the Next Gen car. With the return of The Chase and the move away from elimination rounds, the "win at all costs" mentality is about to meet "consistency is king" in a way we haven't seen in a decade. Keep your eyes on the practice sessions starting at Bowman Gray in just a couple of weeks.