You're probably staring at the TV guide or scrolling through social media trying to figure out exactly when the engines start. It's Sunday, January 18, 2026. If you're looking for what time race on today, you’re likely tracking the opening ripples of the motorsports season. Honestly, this time of year is always a bit chaotic for fans. We are currently in that weird transition period where the massive spectacle of the Daytona 500 is looming on the horizon, but the immediate action is centered around the Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum and the final countdown to the Formula 1 winter testing in Bahrain.
Let’s be real. Nothing is more annoying than tuning into a broadcast only to realize you’ve missed the first twenty laps because of a "pre-race show" that lasted two hours longer than expected.
The Main Event: NASCAR’s Clash at the Coliseum
Today’s big ticket item is the NASCAR transition into the competitive season. The Busch Light Clash at the Coliseum in Los Angeles has become the de facto season opener, even if it doesn't count for points. It’s a tight, 0.25-mile short track built inside a football stadium. It’s loud. It’s cramped.
What time race on today for the Cup Series? The main event is scheduled to green flag at 8:00 PM ET (5:00 PM PT).
However, if you want to see the heat races—which are arguably more entertaining because drivers are desperate to make the main show—those start much earlier. Heat races typically begin around 5:30 PM ET. You can catch the broadcast on FOX. If you’re streaming, the FOX Sports App is your best bet, though you’ll need a cable login or a service like FuboTV or YouTube TV.
The entry list for today is stacked. We’re looking at 36 chartered teams trying to squeeze into a 23-car starting grid. Last year, we saw 16 cautions in this race. 16! That’s basically a demolition derby with high-end engineering. Keep an eye on Joey Logano and Kyle Busch; they tend to thrive in these "bullring" environments where moving someone out of the way is just part of the Saturday night—or in this case, Sunday night—DNA.
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Why the Start Time Actually Matters
If you tune in at exactly 8:00 PM, you’re going to see a lot of smoke, mirrors, and musical performances. NASCAR has leaned heavily into the "Super Bowl" vibe for this event. In previous years, they’ve had acts like Machine Gun Kelly or Cypress Hill performing during the mid-race break. If you just want to see cars bumping fenders, you can probably wait until 8:20 PM ET to see the actual green flag drop.
Formula 1 and International Racing Schedules
Now, if you’re an F1 fan asking what time race on today, I have some slightly disappointing news for your Sunday morning. We are currently in the "off-season," but the factory floors in Milton Keynes and Maranello are vibrating. The 2026 season is a massive deal because of the new engine regulations.
While there isn't a Grand Prix today, the Dakar Rally is wrapping up its final stages.
The Dakar is a brutal, multi-week slog through the Saudi Arabian desert. Today’s coverage usually drops on Peacock or Red Bull TV around 10:00 AM ET. It’s not a "live" race in the traditional sense where you watch a pack of cars for two hours. It’s a highlights-and-stage-summary format. But if you want to see Carlos Sainz Sr. or Nasser Al-Attiyah jumping sand dunes at 100 mph, that’s where you need to be.
2026 F1 Pre-Season Context
The buzz is real. This year, F1 moves to a nearly 50/50 split between internal combustion and electric power. Everyone is asking if Red Bull can maintain their dominance or if the Mercedes/Ferrari power units will finally close the gap. Testing starts in exactly one month in Bahrain.
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- Bahrain Testing: Feb 21-23
- Season Opener (Australian GP): March 15 (due to Ramadan shifts in the calendar)
Predicting Today’s Results: Who to Watch
Back to the Clash. If you’re betting or just playing fantasy, don’t look at the superstars only. Look at the short-track specialists.
Christopher Bell is a name that often gets overlooked in the glitz of the Coliseum, but his dirt-track background makes him a monster on low-grip, tight-radius turns. Then there’s Ryan Blaney. As the defending champ from 2023-2024 cycles, he has a chip on his shoulder.
Short tracks like this require "dive-bombing." You can't pass on the outside. You have to get to the bumper of the guy in front of you and literally move him up the track. It’s aggressive. It’s "old school" NASCAR shoved into a modern stadium.
Weather Forecast for Los Angeles
The weather in LA today is looking clear, with a high of 68°F and a low of 52°F. This is crucial. In previous years, we’ve seen rain threats that moved the race to Saturday. Today, the track temp will drop quickly once the sun goes down over the stadium walls. Cold tracks mean less grip, which leads to more sliding, which leads to more angry drivers. It’s a perfect recipe for a primetime TV mess.
How to Watch Without Cable
It’s 2026; nobody wants to pay $150 for a cable package just to watch one race. If you're hunting for what time race on today and how to actually see it:
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- Sling TV: Usually the cheapest way to get FOX/FS1.
- Hulu + Live TV: Good, but pricey.
- Antenna: If you live in a city, a $20 digital antenna gets you FOX in HD for free. Forever. Seriously, more people should do this.
- International Fans: If you're in the UK, Sky Sports F1 often carries NASCAR highlights, but for the live Clash, you might need Viaplay or a dedicated NASCAR TrackPass subscription.
The Evolution of the "Start Time"
You’ve noticed that race times have drifted later and later over the years. This isn't an accident. TV networks realized that the 1:00 PM ET start time was killing West Coast viewership. By moving the Clash to 8:00 PM ET, they hit the "sweet spot." East Coasters are on their couches after dinner, and West Coasters are just finishing up their Sunday afternoon.
However, this sucks for European fans. An 8:00 PM ET start means a 1:00 AM start in London and a 2:00 AM start in Central Europe. If you're reading this from overseas, you're better off muting your phone and watching the full race replay on the NASCAR YouTube channel tomorrow morning. They are surprisingly good about uploading "Race in 15" summaries almost immediately.
Actionable Next Steps for Race Day
Stop scrolling and get your setup ready. Here is exactly what you should do to make sure you don't miss a lap:
- Sync your clock: Ensure your streaming app is updated. Nothing kills a race like a "mandatory update" at 7:59 PM.
- Check the Heats: Tune in at 5:30 PM ET on FS1 to see who actually makes the feature. Some big names will fail to qualify. It happens every year.
- Monitor Twitter (X): Follow accounts like @NASCAR or @BobPockrass. Bob is the gold standard for "weather and technical" updates. If the start time shifts by five minutes, he will know before the drivers do.
- Set the DVR: If you’re watching the NFL playoffs (which are also happening), set your DVR for an extra hour. NASCAR races at the Coliseum almost always go over their allotted time slot due to those 16 cautions I mentioned.
Whether you are here for the technical precision of a Dakar buggy or the sheer "rubbing is racing" chaos of the LA Coliseum, today is the official end of the winter drought. The engines are finally back on.