If you're frantically checking your remote and wondering what time does today's NASCAR race come on, the answer depends entirely on what kind of "racing" you’re looking for. See, today is Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you are looking for the Cup Series—the big heavy stock cars—you’re actually a few weeks early. The official season doesn't kick off its engines until February.
But don't click away just yet.
Right now, the entire racing world is actually focused on a tiny, dirt-covered arena in Oklahoma. It’s the Chili Bowl Nationals. While it’s technically "Midget" car racing, it is effectively a NASCAR home game today. Huge names like Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are in the dirt, and the championship events are happening right now.
What Time Does the Racing Start Today?
For Saturday, January 17, 2026, the racing schedule is a marathon, not a sprint. The Chili Bowl Championship Feature Events in Tulsa started early.
The first engines fired up at 10 a.m. ET (9 a.m. CT).
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This isn't just one race. It's a ladder system. They start with the "P" and "O" mains (yes, they go that far down the alphabet) and work their way up to the big A-Main finale late tonight. If you want to see the NASCAR stars like Larson—who is looking for another Golden Driller trophy—you’ll want to be tuned in by the evening hours. Usually, the top-tier "A-Main" doesn't hit the dirt until well after 10 p.m. ET.
When Does the Actual NASCAR Cup Season Start?
Maybe the dirt stuff isn't your vibe. You want the high banks, the 750-horsepower monsters, and the smell of Sunoco fuel. You've got to wait until February 1st.
NASCAR made a massive move for 2026. They moved the Cook Out Clash to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. It’s a legendary "Madhouse" short track that’s basically a football stadium with a flat quarter-mile track around it. It is going to be chaotic.
Here is the upcoming schedule for the start of the 2026 season so you can plan your snacks:
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- Sunday, February 1: The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. This one comes on at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
- Thursday, February 12: The Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona. Catch these at 7 p.m. ET on FS1.
- Sunday, February 15: The Big One. The Daytona 500. It starts at 2:30 p.m. ET on FOX.
Why Today’s Chili Bowl Matters to NASCAR Fans
Honestly, today is the most important day in January for any real gearhead. Why? Because the stats don't lie. NASCAR drivers who cut their teeth on dirt—like Christopher Bell or the reigning champ Kyle Larson—have been dominating the Cup Series lately.
Kyle Larson is the defending 2025 Chili Bowl champion. He's back in Tulsa today trying to secure his fourth title. Christopher Bell, who grew up just down the road in Norman, Oklahoma, has already been dominant this week. He won his Thursday preliminary feature and is locked into the front of the pack for tonight’s main event.
Watching these guys today is like watching a masterclass in car control. If they can slide a 900-pound car with 300 horsepower around a tiny indoor dirt track without hitting the wall, a Sunday afternoon at Talladega feels like a cruise.
How to Watch the Races Today
If you’re looking for the Chili Bowl on your standard cable package, you might be disappointed. It’s basically a FloRacing exclusive. You’ll need a subscription there to see the live broadcast from the SageNet Center.
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However, once the Cup Series starts in February, things get much easier. FOX and FS1 handle the first half of the season. 2026 is actually a big year for broadcasting because Amazon Prime Video and TNT Sports are jumping into the mix later this summer.
2026 Schedule Shakeups You Should Know About
The 2026 season is gonna look a lot different than what you're used to. For one, the championship race isn't in Phoenix anymore. NASCAR moved the finale back to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8th. Most fans are pretty hyped about that because the racing at Homestead is usually way better for a winner-take-all scenario.
We also have some wild new tracks. On June 21st, there's a street race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego. It’s basically NASCAR on a military base. Then you've got the return of Chicagoland Speedway on July 5th.
So, while you might be asking what time does today's NASCAR race come on and finding out the "big cars" are still in the shop, today's dirt action is the perfect appetizer.
Your Saturday Action Plan
- Check FloRacing if you want to see the NASCAR stars in the Chili Bowl today; the A-Main is the big one tonight.
- Mark February 1st on your calendar for the first actual NASCAR race of 2026 at Bowman Gray.
- Update your streaming apps, as the 2026 season is split between FOX, FS1, The CW (for the O'Reilly series), and eventually Prime and TNT.
If you’re just looking for a casual afternoon of racing, today's Chili Bowl coverage is already live. Grab some coffee, settle in, and watch the future of NASCAR slide through the mud.