If you’re looking for who won the NASCAR race last week, you’ve gotta understand that the "real" season hasn't actually kicked off yet. We are currently in that weird, freezing-cold gap in January where the big heavy stock cars are still tucked away in North Carolina shops. But that doesn't mean racing stopped. Honestly, it just moved indoors to a dirt track in Oklahoma, and things got incredibly wild.
The biggest trophy handed out last week went to Emerson Axsom, who captured the 40th running of the Chili Bowl Nationals on Saturday night, January 17, 2026.
Now, I know what you’re thinking. Is the Chili Bowl a NASCAR race? Technically, no. But in 2026, the line is basically invisible. The field was absolutely crawling with Cup Series superstars, including the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion Kyle Larson and Joe Gibbs Racing’s Christopher Bell. If you follow the Sunday afternoon heroes, this was the only race that mattered last week.
Emerson Axsom Outlasts the Giants in Tulsa
The SageNet Center in Tulsa is a madhouse. It’s a quarter-mile dirt oval built inside an expo center, and it smells like methanol and corn dogs. Emerson Axsom, a 21-year-old from Franklin, Indiana, drove the race of his life to secure the Golden Driller trophy.
He didn't just win; he survived.
Axsom was driving for Sammy Swindell, a legend who knows more about dirt than most people know about their own kids. Axsom started on the outside of the front row, right next to NASCAR’s golden boy, Kyle Larson. Most people assumed Larson would just disappear into the sunset.
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He didn't.
Axsom pulled a bold slide job on lap four and never really looked back, even when the literal best drivers in the world were trying to tear his rear bumper off.
The NASCAR Stars Who Hit the Dirt
Last week wasn't just about the winner; it was about the guys we usually see at Daytona and Talladega getting humbled by a dirt track.
- Kyle Larson: The defending Cup champ looked like the man to beat early on. He won his Monday preliminary feature and started on the pole for the Saturday finale. But on lap 16, disaster struck. Larson clipped a slow car and flipped. Just like that, the favorite was upside down and out of the race.
- Christopher Bell: Bell is basically the king of Tulsa. He won the Race of Champions on Monday and took his Thursday night prelim. In the big finale, he was charging hard but ended up in a dogfight with Justin Grant and Logan Seavey, eventually finishing near the front but short of the win.
- Ty Gibbs & Corey Day: These guys were all over the results last week. Corey Day, who is actually stepping into a full-time NASCAR ride with Hendrick Motorsports this year, showed why everyone is hyped about him by making the Saturday A-Main.
Why Everyone is Searching for NASCAR Results Right Now
There is a lot of confusion because the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series schedule is about to explode. We are currently just two weeks away from the official exhibition opener.
If you are looking for the big cars—the Next Gen Mustangs, Camaros, and Dark Horses—you’re looking for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. That race is set for February 1, 2026.
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NASCAR decided to ditch the L.A. Coliseum and bring the Clash back to its roots at "The Madhouse" in Winston-Salem. It’s going to be a bloodbath. Since the race hasn't happened yet, people are checking their apps and seeing Emerson Axsom’s name under the "NASCAR" news tab because he’s the one who took the headlines last week.
Looking Back: The Last Big Win
If you’re actually thinking about the last time the Cup cars were on track for points, you have to go all the way back to the 2025 finale at Phoenix. But in the world of 2026, the momentum is all with the dirt guys.
Axsom’s win is a big deal because it proves the "NASCAR effect" works both ways. Drivers like Larson and Bell go to the Chili Bowl to stay sharp, but young kids like Axsom use the Chili Bowl to prove to NASCAR owners that they belong in a Cup car.
What Really Happened on Saturday Night?
The final laps in Tulsa were pure chaos. Axsom had a mirror full of Logan Seavey and Justin Grant. At one point, Grant actually passed Axsom with seven laps to go, but a timely caution flag reset the field.
"I was super thankful that yellow came out," Axsom admitted afterward.
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Then, with two laps to go, Kevin Thomas Jr. made a massive charge from 18th to nearly steal the win. Axsom held the bottom line, blocked the run, and crossed the bricks to the loudest roar I've heard in years. At 21, he’s one of the youngest to ever do it.
Your NASCAR Cheat Sheet for the Next Few Weeks
Since you’re clearly itching for some racing, here is exactly what is coming up so you don't miss the actual start of the season.
- Preparation Week: Teams are currently heading to Charlotte for final tech inspections.
- February 1, 2026: The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. This is the first time the Cup Series has been at this historic track since 1971. Expect tempers to flare.
- February 12, 2026: The Bluegreen Vacations Duels at Daytona. This sets the field for the big one.
- February 15, 2026: The Daytona 500. This is the Super Bowl. No more dirt, no more exhibition races.
If you want to stay ahead of the curve, keep an eye on Emerson Axsom. Winning the Chili Bowl usually means a NASCAR contract isn't far behind. Just look at Larson, Bell, and Briscoe.
The "winner" last week might not have been in a stock car, but he definitely won the respect of every NASCAR fan watching.
To get ready for the season, make sure you've updated your streaming apps for the new broadcast rights deals starting this year. Check the local listings for Bowman Gray, as that quarter-mile track requires a very different viewing perspective than the massive superspeedways. You’ll want to watch the qualifying heats closely, as half the field won’t even make the main event at the Madhouse.