You've probably woken up, grabbed a coffee, and wondered if there's any rubber burning or horses charging today. It's Saturday, January 17, 2026. If you're looking for the big roar of NASCAR or the high-pitched scream of Formula 1, I’ve got some news that might be a bummer. Neither of those massive series is running today. The Daytona 500 doesn't kick off the points season until February 15, and F1 is still hibernating until the Australian Grand Prix in March.
But wait. If you’re asking is the race on today because you need a competitive fix, the sports world isn’t actually empty. Far from it.
While the "Big Two" are dark, today is actually a massive day for horse racing and niche motorsports. We are right in the thick of the "Road to the Kentucky Derby," and the dirt track world is currently centered on a small city in Oklahoma. Basically, there’s plenty to watch if you know where to point the remote.
The Biggest Race on Today: The Lecomte Stakes
If you follow the ponies, today is basically your Christmas in January. The Fair Grounds Race Course in New Orleans is hosting the Grade 3 Lecomte Stakes.
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This isn't just some random local race. It’s a 20-point qualifier for the 2026 Kentucky Derby. We're looking at a 1 1/16-mile dirt duel. The horse to watch? Probably Chip Honcho. He’s coming off a win at the Gun Runner Stakes and is trying to give trainer Steve Asmussen another trophy for the mantle.
Honestly, the undercard is just as stacked. There are 13 races total today at Fair Grounds, including the Silverbulletday Stakes for the fillies. If you’re a bettor, the Louisiana (G3) for the older horses is also on the docket.
Mud, Dirt, and Midgets: The Chili Bowl Nationals
While the NASCAR Cup guys are mostly at home, a bunch of them are actually in Tulsa, Oklahoma right now. Today, January 17, is the Championship Saturday for the Chili Bowl Nationals.
This is the "Super Bowl of Midget Racing." It’s loud, it’s dirty, and it’s held inside the SageNet Center on a tiny clay track. If you haven't seen midget cars sideways on dirt, you're missing out. It’s pure chaos. You’ve got drivers from every discipline—Sprint cars, IndyCar, and even NASCAR regulars—squeezing into these high-horsepower, short-wheelbase machines. The "A-Main" finale happens tonight, and it’s usually where legends are made.
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What about Marathons and Cycling?
If you're more into human-powered speed, the answer to is the race on today is a resounding yes.
In South Carolina, the Daufuskie Island Marathon is happening. It's a Boston Qualifier, so the stakes are pretty high for the runners trying to hit those sub-3-hour marks. Down in Florida, the FTC Marathon in Hawthorne is also underway.
On the global stage, the professional cycling world is waking up in Australia. The Santos Tour Down Under officially starts today. It’s the first WorldTour event of the 2026 season. It's summer down there, so while we're shivering in the Northern Hemisphere, those guys are sweating through the Adelaide Hills.
Why the big leagues are still quiet
People often get confused because they see "racing" in the headlines and assume it's the 600-horsepower stock cars. NASCAR is currently in its short offseason. They did move the "Clash" exhibition race to Bowman Gray Stadium this year, but even that isn't until February 1.
Formula 1 is in a similar spot. They’re busy in the factories building the 2026 cars, which, as you might know, are part of a massive new regulation change. We won't see them on track for testing until mid-February.
Summary of what's actually on:
- Horse Racing: Lecomte Stakes at Fair Grounds (New Orleans). First post around noon CT.
- Motorsports: Chili Bowl Nationals Finals (Tulsa). All day/night.
- Cycling: Santos Tour Down Under (Australia). Stage 1.
- Running: McAllen Marathon (Texas) and Daufuskie Island (SC).
Basically, if you want speed today, you're looking at dirt or turf. Honestly, the Chili Bowl is probably the most "exciting" thing if you like wrecks and close-quarters racing, but the Lecomte Stakes has the real history behind it.
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If you're trying to find these on TV, Fair Grounds is usually on FanDuel TV or FS2. For the Chili Bowl, you’ll likely need a FloRacing subscription.
Next steps for you? If you’re a casual fan, check out the results for the Lecomte Stakes this evening. It’ll give you a first look at the horses that will be all over your TV come May. If you're a die-hard motorhead, pull up the FloRacing stream and watch the "alphabet soup" of races leading up to the Chili Bowl finale tonight. It's the best way to bridge the gap until the Daytona 500.