So, you’re looking for the race. Honestly, the answer depends entirely on whether you’re a "dirt in your beer" fan or a "sand in your boots" type of person. It is Wednesday, January 14, 2026, and while the massive NASCAR and F1 machines are still tucked away in their shops for a few more weeks, we are right in the thick of two of the most grueling events on the planet.
If you're looking for the Chili Bowl Nationals, you need to head to FloRacing. If you're chasing the Dakar Rally, your destination is Peacock or the NBC Sports app.
That’s the short version. But let’s get into the specifics because racing schedules are notorious for being a mess.
What Channel Is the Race On Today for the Chili Bowl?
If you want to see the "York Plumbing Qualifying Night" at the 2026 Chili Bowl, don’t bother flipping through your cable guide. You won't find it on ESPN or FS1. The Chili Bowl has a long-standing, exclusive partnership with FloRacing.
Basically, it's a streaming-only affair.
The action at the SageNet Center in Tulsa usually kicks off around 5:00 PM ET (4:00 PM CT). Today is the third qualifying night. You’ll see a massive field of Midget cars fighting for those precious locked-in spots for Saturday’s A-Main. Since it's Wednesday, expect the track to be getting technical. The cushion will be high, the sliders will be risky, and the stars will be trying to avoid the "alphabet soup" of lower mains later in the week.
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For those who haven’t used FloRacing before, it’s a subscription service. You can’t just buy a "day pass" for the Chili Bowl, which is a bit of a bummer if you only watch once a year. You’ve gotta commit to the monthly or annual plan. But, once you're in, you get the full broadcast—heat races, C-Mains, and the feature.
Tracking the 2026 Dakar Rally: Stage 10 Coverage
While Tulsa is loud and cramped, the Dakar Rally is currently tearing up the desert in Saudi Arabia. Today, January 14, is Stage 10.
Because of the time difference, the "live" racing actually happens while most of us in the States are asleep. However, the television coverage and highlights are easy to find if you know where to look.
- Peacock: This is your best bet for the daily hour-long highlight show. It usually drops around 8:00 PM ET. It’s the most comprehensive way to see the bikes, cars, and those massive trucks jumping dunes.
- NBC Sports App: If you have a cable log-in, you can often find the same highlight packages here.
- Red Bull TV: For a more "vibe-heavy" and free experience, Red Bull usually puts out some incredible behind-the-scenes daily recaps.
Stage 10 is usually where the fatigue really starts to break people. The 2026 route has been particularly nasty on the navigation side. If you're following the leaderboard, today is a massive day for the top contenders to either seal the deal or lose it all in a canyon.
What About the Big Leagues? (NASCAR, F1, and IndyCar)
I know a lot of people search for "what channel is the race on today" expecting to see the Daytona 500 or the Monaco Grand Prix. If that's you, you're a little early.
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NASCAR doesn't start its engines for points until February. The 2026 season officially kicks off with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 8, which will be on FOX. Following that, the Daytona 500 is scheduled for February 22. Right now, the teams are just doing media reveals. In fact, today (Jan 14), Front Row Motorsports is doing their season preview.
IndyCar is even further out. Their 2026 season opener isn't until March 1 at the Streets of St. Petersburg. Interestingly, 2026 is the year IndyCar moves exclusively to FOX for its broadcasts. No more hopping between NBC and USA Network—every single race, including the Indy 500, will be on big FOX.
Formula 1 is in its "winter break" shadow. Teams will start showing off their 2026 liveries (and their new engine regulations) starting tomorrow, January 15. The actual pre-season testing doesn't start in Barcelona until January 30.
Horse Racing at Fairyhouse
If you’re not a petrol-head and you’re actually looking for something with four legs, there is a significant meet today at Fairyhouse in Ireland.
The feature is the "Watch Danny's Diary At Toteracing (Pro/Am) Hurdle" at 4:00 PM local time (11:00 AM ET). You can usually catch these on Racing TV or through various betting app streams like FanDuel Racing. The ground is currently listed as yielding to soft, so look for the mudders.
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Why Finding the Channel is Getting Harder
Let’s be real: racing media is a fragmented mess. Gone are the days when you just turned on Speed Channel and left it there all day.
Nowadays, every series has its own "Plus" service.
- NASCAR is split between FOX, NBC, Amazon Prime, and TNT.
- IndyCar is all on FOX for 2026.
- F1 is mostly on ESPN/ABC.
- Dirt racing is almost entirely on FloRacing or World of Outlaws (DIRTVision).
This shift to streaming is great for "superfans" who want to see every practice session, but it's a nightmare for the casual viewer who just wants to see a green flag on a Wednesday night.
Summary for Today: January 14, 2026
To make it simple, here is exactly where to go right now:
- Chili Bowl Nationals (Qualifying Night 3): Go to FloRacing. Coverage starts around 5:00 PM ET.
- Dakar Rally (Stage 10): Go to Peacock at 8:00 PM ET for the daily highlights.
- Horse Racing (Fairyhouse): Check Racing TV or your preferred wagering app around midday.
If you are waiting for the Rolex 24 at Daytona, mark your calendar for January 24-25. That will be on NBC and Peacock, and it's the next "major" event on the calendar after the dirt settles in Tulsa.
For the Chili Bowl tonight, keep an eye on the track prep. If the track crew lets the bottom lane slick over early, we're going to see some incredible high-side heroics. If you're new to midget racing, remember that these cars have a massive power-to-weight ratio and no starters—if they stop, they need a push truck. It makes for chaotic, fast-paced TV.
Next Steps for Your Raceday:
- Open the FloRacing app if you want to catch the Tulsa heat races live.
- Download the Official Dakar App for live timing and GPS tracking of the Stage 10 leaders in the Saudi dunes.
- Set a DVR reminder for January 24 for the start of the Rolex 24 on NBC.