Honestly, if you're looking for a race winner right this second, you might be a little ahead of the curve. It's January 15, 2026. While the engines are definitely warming up in the shops around Charlotte, the official "today" scorecard is actually empty. There wasn't a Cup race today.
NASCAR is currently in that weird, quiet pocket of the deep offseason where the only things moving are the legal papers and the wind tunnel fans.
We are just over two weeks away from the real action. The 2026 season officially kicks off on February 1st. And it’s not starting where you’d expect. Forget the beach for a second—NASCAR is heading back to the "Madhouse."
The Last Big Winner We Saw
The most recent person to actually lift a trophy in the Cup Series was Kyle Larson. He clinched his second career championship back on November 8, 2025. That finale was a wild one at Phoenix, where a two-tire pit stop call by Cliff Daniels basically gift-wrapped the title for the No. 5 team. Ryan Blaney actually won that specific race at Phoenix, but Larson was the one who walked away with the big season trophy because he finished highest among the Championship 4.
It’s kind of crazy when you think about it. Larson wasn't even the fastest car for most of that afternoon. Denny Hamlin looked like he finally had it. Then, typical NASCAR chaos happened. Tire issues, late cautions, and suddenly Hendrick Motorsports is celebrating their 15th title.
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What’s Happening Right Now?
Since there isn't a race today, January 15, what are the drivers doing? Well, Christopher Bell just won the Chili Bowl Race of Champions a few days ago on January 12. A lot of these guys spend their "off" time racing dirt midgets in Tulsa because they seemingly can't sit still for more than five minutes.
But if you're looking for the next time the Cup cars hit the track, mark your calendar for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
That’s the big season opener. It’s an exhibition, sure, but it’s at a 0.25-mile flat oval inside a football stadium. It’s going to be a total bumper-car session. Chase Elliott is the defending winner of the Clash, having dominated the 2025 version when he led 171 out of 200 laps.
Who Won the NASCAR Cup Race Today: Looking Toward the 2026 Schedule
Since there’s no winner to report for this specific Thursday in January, let's talk about where the wins are going to happen this year. The 2026 schedule is a massive departure from what we’ve seen in the last decade.
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NASCAR finally pulled the trigger on some big changes.
The biggest news is the championship finale. For the first time since 2019, the season will NOT end in Phoenix. We’re going back to Homestead-Miami Speedway on November 8, 2026. Drivers have been begging for this for years because Homestead actually allows for multiple racing grooves, unlike the "track position is everything" struggle we sometimes see in the desert.
New Tracks and Big Returns
- San Diego Street Race: June 21, 2026. This is the one everyone is nervous about. It’s at Naval Base Coronado. A street circuit on a military base? It sounds like something out of a video game, but it’s real.
- Chicagoland is Back: July 5, 2026. After years in the wilderness, the 1.5-mile Joliet track is back on the schedule. Fans missed the "worn-out" pavement there, and it's replacing the second Chicago Street Race.
- The Rock: Rockingham is back on the map for the lower series, and while it's not a Cup points race yet, the buzz is that it's the next "North Wilkesboro" style revival.
Why the "Today" Winner Question is Tricky in January
NASCAR fans are a dedicated bunch. We usually track everything from tire tests to random autograph sessions. But right now, the Cup Series is in a "dead period." Teams are finalized, though.
If you're wondering who might win the next race, look at the roster. 23XI Racing is expanding, and there’s a lot of talk about Tyler Reddick being the man to beat in 2026. He was incredibly consistent last year but just couldn't seal the deal in the final round.
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Then you’ve got the Haas Factory Team transition. With Stewart-Haas gone, the landscape has shifted. Cole Custer is back in the No. 41, and everyone is watching to see if he can actually compete with the Hendrick and Gibbs heavyweights.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
Since there's no race result to check today, here is how you can actually get ready for the 2026 season:
- Check your DVR: The Duels at Daytona are on Thursday, February 12. That's the first time we'll see real pack racing this year.
- Update your Fantasy Lineup: If you play NASCAR Fantasy, the prices for drivers like Connor Zilisch (the rookie phenom) are going to be a steal early in the season.
- Book the Clash: If you’re near Winston-Salem, the Bowman Gray race on February 1st is going to be a historic mess in the best way possible. Tickets are notoriously hard to get because the place only holds about 17,000 people.
Basically, the "winner" today is anyone who's already finished building their Daytona 500 car. We’re in the calm before the storm. The 2026 season is shaping up to be one of the most unpredictable ones in recent memory, especially with the championship moving back to Florida.