If you’re refreshing your feed trying to find out who won the NASCAR race at Martinsville today, I’ve got some news that might be a little unexpected.
Nobody won.
Wait. Let me rephrase that. Nobody won because there wasn't actually a Cup Series race held at the Paperclip today, January 16, 2026. If you’re seeing headlines or old clips floating around, they’re likely from the wild playoff elimination race we saw last fall or perhaps some confusingly dated highlights from the 2025 season.
It's January. In the racing world, this is the "calm" before the Daytona storm. While the engines at Martinsville Speedway are currently silent, the 2026 season is just weeks away from kicking off at Bowman Gray Stadium for the Clash.
When is the actual Martinsville race?
According to the official 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule, we aren't heading to Ridgeway, Virginia, for quite a while. The first trip to the short track—the Cook Out 400—is slated for Sunday, March 29, 2026.
I know, it's a bummer if you were geared up for some short-track beating and banging this afternoon. But looking at the calendar, NASCAR has a very specific rhythm. January is for the Chili Bowl (where Christopher Bell just picked up a huge win in the Race of Champions) and for teams to finalize their Gen-7 builds before heading to Florida.
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If you're wondering about the "today" confusion, it's worth noting that Martinsville typically hosts two massive weekends.
- The Spring Race: March 29, 2026.
- The Playoff Elimination: November 1, 2026.
That November date is the one that usually breaks the internet. It’s the final chance for drivers to claw their way into the Championship 4.
Looking back: Who won the last race at Martinsville?
To settle any bets or confusion, let’s look at what actually happened the last time the Cup Series was in town. That was the Xfinity 500 back in late October 2025.
William Byron absolutely dominated that day. He led 304 of the 500 laps. Think about that for a second. In a race where track position is everything and the bumpers are constantly flying, the No. 24 Chevrolet was basically untouchable. He ended up passing Ryan Blaney late in the game to secure the win and punch his ticket to the title fight.
Honestly, Blaney looked like he had it. His Ford was fast, but as the sun started to go down and the track temp dropped, Byron just found another gear. It was a "gloves-off" kind of drive that reminded everyone why Byron has become the cornerstone of Hendrick Motorsports.
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Top 5 Results from the Most Recent Martinsville Cup Race:
- Winner: William Byron (No. 24)
- 2nd: Ryan Blaney (No. 12)
- 3rd: Chase Elliott (No. 9)
- 4th: Ross Chastain (No. 1)
- 5th: Kyle Larson (No. 5)
That race was also famous for being the heartbreak moment for Christopher Bell. He finished 7th but was ultimately knocked out of the playoffs because Kyle Larson (finishing 5th) managed to edge him out on total points. It was high drama, and that's probably why people are still searching for Martinsville results even in the dead of winter.
What's happening in NASCAR right now?
Since you're looking for racing action today, you should probably turn your attention to Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Chili Bowl Nationals are in full swing.
Christopher Bell has been the big story there this week. He won the Race of Champions on Monday night, which is a huge deal because he's doing it as an owner-driver this year. Kyle Larson is also there, fresh off his 2025 Cup Series Championship.
The 2026 Cup season itself doesn't start until February 1st with the Clash at Bowman Gray. After that, we get the Daytona 500 on February 15th.
Why everyone gets the Martinsville dates mixed up
Basically, Martinsville is the soul of NASCAR. Because it’s a short track, the highlights live forever on social media. You’ve probably seen the "Hail Melon" from Ross Chastain or the various times Denny Hamlin has been booed out of the building.
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These clips often resurface with "Today" in the caption on TikTok or X, leading to a lot of confusion for casual fans. Plus, with the 2026 schedule shifting some dates around (like the Championship race moving to Homestead-Miami), it’s easy to lose track of where the series is supposed to be.
Preparing for the 2026 Cook Out 400
When we finally do get to Martinsville in March, keep an eye on the Joe Gibbs Racing Toyotas. Denny Hamlin is a six-time winner there and he’s been vocal about wanting to add more "Grandfather Clocks" to his collection.
Also, watch out for the new Ford Dark Horse bodies. Last year, the Fords struggled a bit with the short-track aero package, but they’re expected to have some tweaks finalized by the time the spring Martinsville race rolls around.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Check the TV Schedule: Make sure you have FS1 ready for the March 29th race, as it’s a daytime start (3:30 PM ET).
- Track the Chili Bowl: If you need a racing fix today, January 16, look for the qualifying night results from Tulsa.
- Update Your Calendar: Mark November 1, 2026, for the fall Martinsville race. That’s the one that will determine who fights for the trophy in Miami.
So, while nobody took the checkered flag in Virginia today, the countdown to the real deal is officially on.