Honestly, if you're looking for the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series start time today, January 13, 2026, there is a bit of a "good news, bad news" situation.
First, let's clear up the naming thing. People still call it the Monster Energy series all the time—habit is a powerful thing—but the premier division is actually just the NASCAR Cup Series now. Monster is still a huge presence in the garage, but they aren't the title sponsor anymore.
Now, for the big question: What time is the race today? ### There Is No Cup Race Today (But Read This First)
If you were hoping to see the Next Gen cars screaming around an oval this Tuesday afternoon, you’re going to be disappointed. The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season hasn't actually started its points-paying engine yet. We are currently in the "quiet before the storm" part of January.
The guys aren't just sitting at home, though. While there isn't a Monster Energy-style Cup race on the schedule for today, the racing world is currently hyper-focused on the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa.
If you want to see NASCAR stars like Kyle Larson or Christopher Bell getting sideways today, you have to look at the dirt. In fact, Larson just won his preliminary feature last night, and the action continues today at the SageNet Center.
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Today's "NASCAR-adjacent" action:
- Event: Chili Bowl Nationals (Tuesday Qualifying Night)
- Time: 5:00 PM ET
- Where to watch: FloRacing
When Does the Real 2026 Season Start?
You’ve only got a few weeks to wait. The 2026 schedule is actually pretty wild because it marks the return of the 10-race Chase format—a massive shift that NASCAR announced just yesterday. Fans have been begging for a return to the old-school points battles, and the sanctioning body finally pulled the trigger.
Here is the upcoming schedule for when the "real" racing kicks off:
February 1, 2026: The Cook Out Clash
This is the exhibition opener. It’s happening at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem. It’s a tiny, flat, legendary short track where tempers usually explode before the second caution.
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- Time: 8:00 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
February 12, 2026: The Bluegreen Vacations Duel
The twin 150-mile races that set the field for the big one.
- Time: 7:00 PM ET
- Channel: FS1
February 15, 2026: The Daytona 500
The Super Bowl of racing. This is the first official points race of the 2026 season.
- Time: 2:30 PM ET
- Channel: FOX
Why the "Monster Energy" Confusion Still Persists
Basically, from 2017 to 2019, Monster Energy was the face of the sport. Even though we’ve moved to a "Premier Partner" model (with Busch Beer, Coca-Cola, GEICO, and Xfinity), the "Monster Energy NASCAR race" remains a top search because, let's face it, that branding was cool.
Plus, Monster still sponsors Ty Gibbs in the No. 54 Toyota and frequently shows up as a primary on other cars. If you're a fan of the brand, you’ll see plenty of the "M-Claw" on the track once February rolls around.
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The 2026 Schedule Shake-Up
NASCAR really threw a curveball with the 2026 calendar. They are trying to hit more "lifestyle" markets, which is why we’re seeing a race at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego on June 21. That’s a street course, kind of like what they did in Chicago, but with a military backdrop.
Also, for the first time in years, Homestead-Miami Speedway is back as the Championship race on November 8. Phoenix had it for a while, but moving the finale back to South Florida has most of the garage feeling pretty nostalgic.
What You Should Do Right Now
Since there isn't a Cup race today, you've basically got two options to get your fix:
- Stream the Chili Bowl: Go to FloRacing around 5 PM ET. It’s midget racing, not Cup cars, but it’s high-stakes and features the best drivers in the world.
- Set Your DVR: Make sure you’ve got FOX and FS1 ready for February 1st. The move to Bowman Gray for the Clash is going to be a chaotic mess, and you definitely don't want to miss the first time the Cup guys try to race on a track that small.
The 2026 season is going to be different. With the return of the Chase and the move to new tracks like San Diego, the "what time is the race" question is going to be something you'll be asking a lot this year because the start times are all over the place to accommodate the new TV partners like Prime Video and TNT.
Actionable Next Step: Head over to the official NASCAR site and download the .ics calendar file for the 2026 season. It’ll sync every start time directly to your phone so you don't have to keep searching for "what time is the monster energy nascar race today" every Sunday morning.