You’re probably looking for the winner of the NASCAR race at Texas Motor Speedway today, January 17, 2026. Honestly, there is a very simple reason why you might be seeing conflicting reports or older results: there was no NASCAR Cup Series race at Texas today.
If you’ve been scrolling through social media or seeing old highlights of Joey Logano or Kyle Larson celebrating in the Lonestar State, those are from previous seasons. NASCAR’s 2026 schedule is officially out, and the series is currently in its short winter "Silly Season" lull. The engines haven't even fired for the exhibition races yet.
Basically, the Cup Series doesn't actually head to Fort Worth until Sunday, May 3, 2026, for the Würth 400.
The Confusion Around Who Won Today's NASCAR Race at Texas
It's sorta easy to get tripped up by the dates. In the 2025 season, the Texas race was a massive deal, featuring a wild finish where Joey Logano held off Ross Chastain in a chaotic overtime restart. That race saw 12 cautions and felt like a war of attrition. Because that event was so recent in the memory of most fans, search results often pull up those old stats when people look for "today's" results during the off-season.
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Right now, the drivers are mostly focused on the Chili Bowl Nationals in Tulsa or prepping for the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1st. If you saw a headline about Kyle Larson winning something this week, he actually took a preliminary feature win at the Chili Bowl on January 12, not a stock car race in Texas.
Why Texas Moved on the Schedule
For a long time, Texas had two dates, including a high-stakes playoff slot. NASCAR's scheduling philosophy has shifted lately. They’re trying to hit more markets and variety, which is why we’re seeing new additions like the San Diego Street Course (coming in June 2026) and the return of Chicagoland.
By moving the Texas race to May 3rd, NASCAR is trying to avoid the brutal summer heat that can make the track surface greasy and difficult for the Next-Gen car to handle. Plus, it gives the fans a better experience in the stands.
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Looking Ahead to the 2026 Würth 400
When the series finally does arrive at Texas Motor Speedway this spring, the stakes will be high. Since it’s early in the season, a win there is a golden ticket into the playoffs. Last year, Logano used that win to solidify his standing, and we expect the heavy hitters like William Byron and Denny Hamlin to be the favorites.
Here is what you need to know about the upcoming Texas race:
- Track Type: 1.5-mile intermediate oval.
- Defending Winner: Joey Logano (2025).
- Key Storyline: Can Kyle Larson finally turn his stage-winning dominance into a victory? He led a ton of laps last time but got shuffled on a late restart.
What is Happening in NASCAR Today?
Even though there isn't a race at Texas today, the sport isn't exactly quiet. We are deep into "Season Previews" for the 2026 teams. Just yesterday, January 16, NASCAR released the official preview for Hyak Motorsports. On Monday, January 19, Trackhouse Racing is scheduled to drop their 2026 outlook.
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The industry is also buzzing about the Daytona 500, which is set for February 15, 2026. Jimmie Johnson has already been confirmed to attempt the race in the No. 84 Toyota for Legacy Motor Club. That's usually what fans are actually tracking this time of year—who’s moving to which team and what the new paint schemes look like.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans
If you’re itching for racing action right now, don't wait for May. You can catch the 2026 season kickoff very soon.
- Mark your calendar for February 1st for the Busch Light Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. It’s going to be a "madhouse" short-track brawl.
- Follow the Chili Bowl results if you want to see Cup stars like Larson and Christopher Bell racing on dirt this weekend.
- Check the 2026 schedule to plan your travel. After Texas on May 3, the series goes straight to Watkins Glen on May 10, then the All-Star race at Dover on May 17.
Knowing the schedule helps avoid the "who won today" confusion when the cars aren't even on the track. If you're looking for live results, always double-check that the year on the article says 2026.