It is Thursday, January 15, 2026, and if you're looking for engines screaming on a Sunday afternoon at Daytona, you’re about a month too early. But that doesn’t mean the tracks are quiet. Actually, the dirt is flying right now in Tulsa, and the desert sands of Saudi Arabia are just settling. Knowing what channel is race on today depends entirely on whether you’re into the muddy chaos of midget racing or the high-tech reveals of the Formula 1 world.
Honestly, January is the "bridge" month for racing fans. The massive TV contracts for NASCAR and IndyCar haven't fully kicked in for the 2026 season yet, so you have to look toward streaming platforms and specialized networks to get your fix.
The Dirt is Calling: Chili Bowl Nationals Coverage
Right now, the biggest event on the planet for open-wheel dirt fans is the Chili Bowl Nationals. We are currently in the thick of the "Hasty Bake" Qualifying Night. If you want to see who is making the "A-Main" for the big Saturday finale, you aren't going to find this on your standard cable package like ESPN or FS1.
FloRacing is the exclusive home for the 2026 Chili Bowl. They’ve been streaming the preliminary nights since Sunday, and today’s action starts around 3:00 p.m. CT (4:00 p.m. ET). You’ve basically got to have a subscription to their service to see it. It's a bummer for casual fans who just want to flip through channels, but for the die-hards, it’s the only place to watch guys like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell try to navigate the Tulsa Expo Raceway.
✨ Don't miss: Why Your 1 Arm Pull Up Progression Isn't Working (And How to Fix It)
Red Bull’s Big 2026 Reveal
While there isn't a live F1 Grand Prix today—the season doesn't actually start until March 6 in Australia—today is a massive day for the "off-track" race.
Today, January 15, is the Red Bull and Racing Bulls 2026 Launch. This is a huge deal because it's the first time we’re seeing the partnership with Ford Powertrains in a formal capacity. The event is happening in Detroit, Michigan, and while it's not a "race," the tech reveal is being treated like one.
- Where to watch: You won't find this on NBC or ABC. Check the official Red Bull Racing YouTube channel or their "Red Bull TV" app.
- Time: The event is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. ET.
- Why it matters: 2026 brings in the new engine regulations, so everyone is looking for a glimpse of how the Ford-backed Red Bull car looks and sounds.
The Dakar Rally Finale
If you've been following the 2026 Dakar Rally, we are nearing the finish line. The race concludes on January 17 in Yanbu, Saudi Arabia. Since the time difference is so wild, "today's" race coverage in the US is usually a recap of the stage that just finished.
🔗 Read more: El Salvador partido de hoy: Why La Selecta is at a Critical Turning Point
For 2026, Peacock is the primary home for Dakar. They drop daily hour-long highlight shows around 8:00 p.m. ET. If you have a traditional cable box, the MAVTV network also carries these highlights, usually on a slight delay compared to the streaming version. It’s been a brutal year for the bikes, and watching the T1+ cars navigate the "Empty Quarter" dunes is basically the best thing on TV right now, even if it's not a live broadcast.
Looking Ahead: What Channel Is Race On Today for NASCAR?
If you’re specifically asking about NASCAR, you’re in a bit of a waiting game. The 2026 Cup Series doesn't start until February 1 with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
When that happens, the landscape is going to look a little different. FOX and FS1 still handle the early part of the season, but remember that Prime Video and TNT Sports are officially part of the mid-season mix now.
💡 You might also like: Meaning of Grand Slam: Why We Use It for Tennis, Baseball, and Breakfast
For today, January 15, there is no live NASCAR Cup, Xfinity (now the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series), or Truck Series racing. However, if you need a fix, the Racing America 24/7 Channel (available on Roku, LG Channels, and Vizio) usually runs marathons of grassroots late-model racing on Thursdays.
Quick Reference for Today's Viewing
| Event | Channel/Platform | Time (ET) |
|---|---|---|
| Chili Bowl Nationals (Qualifying) | FloRacing | 4:00 p.m. |
| Red Bull F1 2026 Launch | YouTube / Red Bull TV | 2:00 p.m. |
| Dakar Rally Stage 11 Highlights | Peacock | 8:00 p.m. |
| Chilly Willy (Tucson Practice) | FloRacing | Afternoon |
How to Get Ready for the Weekend
If you're hunting for "live" wheels-on-pavement action, you're mostly looking at the streaming world until the Rolex 24 at Daytona kicks off the big-network season next week.
- Check your subscriptions: Make sure your Peacock and FloRacing logins are active.
- Download the Apps: Most of these aren't on "channels" anymore; they're in apps on your Smart TV.
- Set Alerts: The Chili Bowl Saturday finale (January 17) is the one you really don't want to miss if you like short-track chaos.
Racing in 2026 is more fragmented than ever. You kinda need a spreadsheet to keep track of whether a race is on FOX, NBC, USA, or a streaming-only platform like Apple TV (which now holds the F1 rights). For today, keep your eyes on the dirt and the digital reveals.
To stay ahead of the curve, your next move should be checking your local listings for the Rolex 24 at Daytona qualifying sessions, which start in just a few days on IMSA.tv and Peacock. That’s the true start of the 2026 endurance season.