You've probably noticed that the typical January quiet in the racing world feels a little different this year. While we aren't seeing engines fire up for points just yet, the garage is buzzing. Everyone is talking about it. The "Sprint Cup" name might be a nostalgic memory for most of us—since it’s been the Monster Energy, then just the NASCAR Cup Series for years—but the spirit of that era is officially back.
Honestly, the biggest news regarding nascar sprint cup series results today isn't a race trophy. It's the total demolition of the playoff system as we knew it.
On Monday, NASCAR dropped a bombshell: the elimination-style playoffs are dead. Starting with the 2026 season, we are returning to "The Chase." If you've been watching since the mid-2000s, you know exactly what this means. No more "win and you're in" chaos where a 20th-place driver steals a spot. No more one-race winner-take-all finales that make a 36-race season feel like a coin flip.
It’s a massive pivot back to rewarding the guys who actually run well every single week.
What the 2026 Results Look Like Right Now
Technically, the "today" results for the Cup Series are currently found on the dirt of Tulsa, Oklahoma, rather than the high banks of Daytona. If you're looking for who's hot right now, you have to look at the Chili Bowl Nationals.
Kyle Larson is doing Kyle Larson things.
The reigning 2025 Cup Series champion—who secured his second title back in November at Phoenix by holding off Ryan Blaney and Brad Keselowski—just won his Monday night preliminary feature. He didn't just win; he looked untouchable. Christopher Bell also grabbed a win in the Race of Champions this week.
Seeing these two go at it in January is basically the appetizer for the Daytona 500.
But back to the big news. The 2026 schedule is officially set, and the "results" of the offseason negotiations have given us a wild calendar. We’re heading to a street course at Naval Base Coronado in San Diego this June. Chicagoland is back. North Wilkesboro is finally a points race again. It’s a lot to take in.
The New Points System: No More Brackets
NASCAR President Steve O’Donnell made it clear that fans wanted something simpler. The new (old) format for 2026 works like this:
- Top 16 make the Chase: This is based purely on regular-season points. No "automatic" bids for winning a single race if you're 30th in the standings.
- A 10-Race Sprint: Once the Chase starts, it’s a straight-up points battle.
- Winning Still Matters: Race winners now get 55 points (a 15-point jump).
- The Finale: Homestead-Miami is back as the championship track on November 8th. Phoenix had a good run, but most fans agree that Homestead produces better racing for a title decider.
It’s kinda refreshing. You can actually follow the standings on a napkin again without needing a degree in nuclear physics to understand "playoff points" and "round of 8" resets.
Why Kyle Larson is Still the Man to Beat
If you want to talk about nascar sprint cup series results today in terms of who owns the trophy, it’s the No. 5 team. Hendrick Motorsports found a way to win their 15th championship last year by making a gut-sy two-tire call at Phoenix.
Larson is the favorite for the 2026 opener at the Clash (which, by the way, is moving to Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1st).
Think about that. The Cup Series is going to a quarter-mile stadium in North Carolina. It’s going to be a bloodbath. It’s the kind of "results" that involve more crumpled sheet metal than actual racing, but it’s going to be incredible television.
The 2026 Schedule at a Glance
If you’re planning your year, here are the key dates that actually matter for the 2026 season.
- Feb 1: The Clash at Bowman Gray (The "Madhouse" debut).
- Feb 15: The Daytona 500 (The real start of the season).
- June 21: San Diego Street Course (A complete wild card).
- July 19: North Wilkesboro (The return of a legend).
- Nov 8: Championship at Homestead-Miami (The crowning of the Chase winner).
Most people get wrong that the offseason is "dead time." It’s actually when the championship is won. Rick Ware Racing just announced a move to Chevrolets and an alliance with RCR. Ty Dillon is back in the No. 10 for Kaulig. These are the moves that dictate the nascar sprint cup series results today and through the rest of the year.
Practical Next Steps for Fans
Stop looking for playoff brackets. They don't exist anymore. If you want to stay ahead of the curve for the 2026 season, start tracking the "Full Season" points standings immediately after Daytona.
Consistency is the new king.
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Check out the entry list for the Daytona 500 in a few weeks. With the new "Chase" rules, those mid-tier teams that used to pray for a fluke win to make the playoffs now have to figure out how to finish 12th every week. That shift in strategy is going to change how these guys drive on the final lap.
Stay tuned to the Wednesday qualifying sessions as we get closer to February. The 2026 season is going to be a total reset of everything we've watched for the last decade.