You’re sitting on the couch, remote in hand, and the internal alarm is going off because it's January and that means engines should be roaring somewhere. But wait. Is there actually a race tonight?
Honestly, the "January lull" isn't what it used to be. While the big-name NASCAR Cup Series guys are still polishing their helmets for the Clash at Bowman Gray next month, tonight—Sunday, January 18, 2026—actually has some sneaky good action if you know where to look.
The short answer: If you are looking for a live, high-octane race on your TV tonight, you're mostly looking at NBC for an encore of the San Diego Supercross or Peacock for live IMSA testing from Daytona.
The Supercross Situation
If you missed the bars-banging action from Snapdragon Stadium last night, you've got a second chance. What channel is the race on tonight? For the Moto fans, NBC is airing a full encore presentation of the Monster Energy AMA Supercross Round 2 from San Diego starting at 2:00 p.m. ET (11:00 a.m. PT).
I know, I know—"encore" is a fancy word for a replay. But in 2026, the parity in the 450 class is so wild that watching these guys navigate the whoops a second time is usually better than most live sitcoms. Plus, it’s a great way to catch up before the series heads back to Anaheim next weekend.
💡 You might also like: Navy Notre Dame Football: Why This Rivalry Still Hits Different
Rolex 24 Testing: The "Roar Before the 24"
If you’re craving something live and happening right this second, you need to pivot to streaming. We are currently in the thick of the Roar Before the Rolex 24 at Daytona International Speedway.
Technically, tonight marks the wind-down of the first official test weekend for the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship.
- Live Action: The VP Racing SportsCar Challenge (Race 2) took place earlier today.
- Tonight’s Vibe: While there isn't a live "main event" under the lights tonight, Peacock has the on-demand replays of the qualifying sessions and the VP Racing sprints from throughout the weekend.
It’s basically the appetizer for the Rolex 24, which officially kicks off next Thursday, January 22. If you want to see how the new GTP hybrids are handling the high banks of Daytona, tonight is the time to scrub through those Peacock replays.
What about the Chili Bowl?
If you were hoping to catch the Midgets sliding around the dirt in Tulsa, you just missed the party. Emerson Axsom just pulled off a massive career-defining win last night (Saturday) to take home the Golden Driller at the 40th Annual Chili Bowl Nationals.
📖 Related: LeBron James Without Beard: Why the King Rarely Goes Clean Shaven Anymore
There’s no live dirt tonight, but the highlights are currently plastered all over FloRacing. If you haven't seen the final laps yet, stop reading this and go find the clip. It was absolute chaos in the best way possible.
NASCAR’s 2026 Countdown
If you are strictly a stock car fan, tonight is more about news than laps. Earlier today, Hendrick Motorsports announced a massive new partnership with Atrium Health, which is going to be a huge deal for their pit crew performance programs this season.
We are officially:
- 14 days away from the Clash at Bowman Gray (Feb 1 on FOX).
- 28 days away from the Daytona 500 (Feb 15 on FOX).
Quick Reference: Where to Watch
| Event | Status | Channel/Platform |
|---|---|---|
| AMA Supercross (San Diego) | Encore/Replay | NBC |
| IMSA Roar Before the 24 | On-Demand/Testing | Peacock |
| Chili Bowl Nationals | Highlights/Replay | FloRacing |
| PWHL (Montreal vs. NY) | Live Hockey (Non-Racing) | MSG / CBC / YouTube |
Why the "Channel" Question is Harder in 2026
Basically, the days of just "flipping to channel 4" are dying. Racing is fragmented. Between the NASCAR-exclusive window on Prime Video coming up later this summer and the heavy reliance on Peacock for IMSA and Supercross, you sort of need a spreadsheet to keep up.
👉 See also: When is Georgia's next game: The 2026 Bulldog schedule and what to expect
Most people get frustrated because they check the local listings and see infomercials. The reality is that for these early-season events, the "channel" is often an app. If you have a smart TV, keep Peacock, FloRacing, and the FOX Sports app on your home screen. That's where 90% of the "tonight" action actually lives these days.
Your Sunday Night Race Plan
If you’re settled in for the night, here is the best way to get your fix:
- Check the DVR for that NBC Supercross replay.
- Fire up FloRacing to watch the Chili Bowl "A-Main" highlights if you missed Axsom’s win.
- Set your alerts for the Rolex 24. The 24-hour marathon starts next Saturday, Jan 24, and that is the one you really don't want to miss.
To stay ahead of the curve, you should download the IMSA app or follow the official NASCAR TV schedule page, as they've started updating live flex-scheduling times much faster than the standard cable box guides. Turn on your notifications for "green flag" alerts so you never have to ask "what channel" ten minutes after the race has already started.