If you’re staring at your TV guide wondering what time is xfinity nascar race today, I have some news that might be a little surprising—or frustrating, depending on how much coffee you’ve already had.
Right now, it is January 16, 2026. If you’re looking for a points-paying race in the series formerly known as Xfinity (now officially the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series), you won’t find one on the big tracks today. The engines are still cooling from the off-season.
The 2026 season hasn't officially green-flagged yet. Most fans forget that January is the "waiting room" of the racing world. While the NFL is hitting its playoff peak, the stock car world is mostly busy in the shop or running regional events.
When does the 2026 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series actually start?
The "real" season—the one where points count toward a championship—doesn't kick off for another month. You’ll want to circle Saturday, February 14, 2026 on your calendar. That is the United Rentals 300 at Daytona International Speedway.
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Basically, you’ve got about four weeks to wait before the national series gets rolling.
But hey, if you’re desperate for racing right now, there is actually some track action happening. Today, Friday, January 16, the Chilly Willy event is happening at Tucson Speedway. It’s a massive short-track tradition that draws over 100 entries. It’s not a national Xfinity (O'Reilly) race, but you’ll see plenty of rising stars and regional legends.
- Event: Chilly Willy (Tucson Speedway)
- Time: 7:45 p.m. ET
- Where to Watch: FloRacing
It’s the kind of gritty, short-track stuff that honest-to-god race fans love. Plus, you’ll see William Sawalich—a name you’ll definitely be hearing in the O’Reilly Series this year—competing in the CARS Tour West portion of the weekend.
Why the name change from Xfinity to O'Reilly?
It’s weird, right? We’ve called it the Xfinity Series since 2015. Before that, it was Nationwide. Before that, Busch. Starting in 2026, O’Reilly Auto Parts has stepped up as the title sponsor.
It’s just business. NASCAR signed a massive deal to rebranding the "Ladder Series." Honestly, it’ll take us all a few months to stop saying "Xfinity" out of habit. If you ask a friend what time is xfinity nascar race today, they’ll know what you mean, but the TV graphics are going to look a lot more green and orange this year.
Looking ahead: The 2026 O'Reilly Auto Parts Series schedule
Once we get past Daytona in February, the schedule for this year is actually pretty wild. NASCAR moved things around a lot to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the United States.
The big one everyone is talking about is the San Diego Street Race at Naval Base Coronado on June 20. It’s a triple-header weekend, so the O’Reilly Series will be tearing up an active military base alongside the Cup and Truck series. That’s a first.
Here is a quick look at the first few "real" races of the season so you don't miss them:
- Daytona (United Rentals 300): Saturday, Feb 14 at 5:00 p.m. ET on CW.
- Atlanta (Bennett 250): Saturday, Feb 21 at 5:00 p.m. ET on CW.
- COTA (Focused Health 250): Saturday, Feb 28 at 3:00 p.m. ET on CW.
You'll notice a pattern there. The CW Network is now the exclusive home for the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series. No more jumping between FS1 and USA Network. If you've got an antenna or a basic cable package, you're pretty much set for the whole season.
Common misconceptions about the January schedule
A lot of people think the "Clash" is the start of the season for everyone. It’s not. The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (happening February 1) is a Cup Series exhibition only.
The O'Reilly (Xfinity) guys don't run that one. They usually wait until Daytona to show their faces.
Also, don't get confused by the Chili Bowl Nationals happening in Tulsa this week. Christopher Bell just locked himself into the championship race there. It’s dirt racing, and while it features NASCAR drivers, it’s not an official NASCAR-sanctioned points event. It’s awesome, but it’s its own beast.
How to prepare for the 2026 season
Since there isn't an O'Reilly race today, you’ve actually got time to get your streaming situation sorted.
First, make sure you have access to The CW. Since they have the rights to all 33 races this year, you don't want to be scrambling on Valentine's Day when the green flag drops at Daytona.
Second, if you want to follow the "pre-season" stuff like the Chilly Willy or the Chili Bowl, you’re going to need a subscription to FloRacing. That’s where the grassroots stuff lives now.
Finally, keep an eye on the entry lists. This year is seeing a lot of "Cup leeches" (Cup drivers dropping down to the lower series) because of the new tracks like San Diego. They want the extra practice. It’s going to make the O'Reilly Series incredibly competitive.
Actionable Next Steps
- Download the NASCAR App: It's the easiest way to track live timing and scoring once the season starts.
- Check your local CW affiliate: Do a quick scan of your TV channels today to make sure you actually get The CW before the Daytona 300.
- Tune into FloRacing tonight: If you really need a racing fix, the Chilly Willy starts at 7:45 p.m. ET and it's usually a wreck-fest in the best way possible.
The answer to what time is xfinity nascar race today is basically: "Not today, but get ready for February 14." It’ll be here before you know it.