Wait, did you check the calendar? If you were looking for a Cup Series trophy presentation this past Sunday, January 11, 2026, you likely found a quiet track. That is because the heavy hitters of the NASCAR Cup Series haven't actually started their engines for the points season yet.
But here is the thing. Racing never truly stops.
While the "Big Three" series (Cup, Xfinity, and Trucks) are still in the final weeks of their winter slumber, there was plenty of high-stakes drama on the dirt and local asphalt this past Sunday. If you are asking who won the race sunday nascar fans were actually watching, the answer isn't a name like Elliott or Blaney—at least not in the way you'd expect.
The real winner of the weekend was Hudson O’Neal.
O'Neal absolutely dominated the Sunday night finale of the Wild West Shootout at Central Arizona Raceway. He wasn't just fast; he was clinical. He managed to fend off a charging Mike Marlar in a finish that had the dirt racing world buzzing. This wasn't some minor local event, either. We’re talking about a field packed with guys who routinely jump back and forth between late models and NASCAR-sanctioned equipment.
💡 You might also like: Huskers vs Michigan State: What Most People Get Wrong About This Big Ten Rivalry
The NASCAR "Ghost Season" and the Chili Bowl Shadow
It’s a weird time of year. We call it the "offseason," but for the drivers, that’s a joke.
Most of the guys you see on Sundays are currently in Tulsa, Oklahoma, or heading there. The Chili Bowl Nationals—the "Super Bowl of Midget Racing"—is currently swallowing the motorsports world whole. While the big Sunday race didn't feature Next Gen cars, the NASCAR presence was everywhere.
- Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell are already making headlines in Tulsa.
- Larson, the reigning Cup champion, just locked himself into the Saturday A-Main with a preliminary win this week.
- Bell is right there with him, fresh off another Race of Champions victory.
So, when people search for who won the race sunday nascar results during this mid-January lull, they are usually catching the tail end of the Wild West Shootout or the opening volleys of the Chili Bowl. Hudson O'Neal's Sunday night victory was the definitive "big win" of the weekend, pocketing him some serious momentum heading into the rest of the month.
Why the 2026 Schedule Feels Different
Honestly, there’s a bit of confusion this year because of the massive changes NASCAR just announced. If you missed the memo, the "Win and You’re In" playoff era is officially dead.
📖 Related: NFL Fantasy Pick Em: Why Most Fans Lose Money and How to Actually Win
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell and a panel of legends like Mark Martin and Dale Earnhardt Jr. recently unveiled the return of "The Chase" for 2026. This isn't just a name change. Starting this year, winning a race doesn't guarantee you a spot in the postseason anymore. Points are king again.
This change has shifted how drivers are approaching these early-season dirt races. In years past, guys might take massive risks just to "get the rust off." Now? Every lap counts toward mental preparation for a season where consistency is the only thing that saves you.
What’s Actually Next on the Calendar?
If you’re itching for the roar of the big V8s, you don't have long to wait. The "real" Sunday answer for who won the race sunday nascar enthusiasts are waiting for will come soon enough.
- The Clash at Bowman Gray (February 8, 2026): This is going to be a total madhouse. NASCAR is taking the season-opening exhibition to the legendary "Madhouse" in Winston-Salem. It’s a 0.25-mile short track that is going to result in a lot of torn-up sheet metal.
- The Daytona 500 (February 15, 2026): The Great American Race. This is the first points-paying race of the year. Miranda Lambert was just announced as the pre-race performer, and the hype is already hitting a fever pitch.
The Sunday Breakdown (By the Numbers)
To put O'Neal's Sunday win in perspective, look at how the Wild West Shootout shook out. He didn't just win; he survived.
👉 See also: Inter Miami vs Toronto: What Really Happened in Their Recent Clashes
- Margin of Victory: It was tight, but O'Neal opened a gap after Marlar's late-race slide job failed to stick.
- Track Conditions: Central Arizona Raceway was slicking over, making the "cushion" dangerous.
- The Field: 25 cars started the Sunday feature, including heavy hitters like Bobby Pierce and Jonathan Davenport.
O'Neal's ability to navigate the lap traffic was the deciding factor. While the NASCAR Cup guys were mostly watching from the stands or prepping their midget cars for Tulsa, O'Neal was the one standing in victory lane with the trophy.
Actionable Insights for the 2026 Season
If you're trying to stay ahead of the curve before the Daytona 500, keep these three things in mind.
First, watch the Chili Bowl results this week. It sounds like a different sport, but the momentum Larson or Bell picks up in Tulsa almost always carries over to the Florida Speedweeks. Second, stop relying on the "win and you're in" logic. When you're looking at the standings this year, pay attention to the guys finishing 5th to 10th every week. They are the ones who will actually lead the standings under the new "Chase" format.
Finally, get your tickets or streaming passes for the Bowman Gray Clash now. It’s the first time the Cup Series has gone to that specific historic venue for a premier event in the modern era, and it is going to be the most talked-about race of the spring.
The Sunday race might not have been a Cup race yet, but the 2026 season is already moving at 200 mph.