Honestly, if you walked into the SageNet Center this week, you’d swear it was 2025 all over again. Or 2021. Maybe even 2017.
The dirt is flying in Tulsa for the 40th annual Chili Bowl Nationals, and while the NASCAR Cup Series season doesn't officially kick off the points race for a few more weeks, the "offseason" is anything but quiet. People always ask who the nascar winner of today's race is during the month of January, and the answer usually involves a small car with a massive engine and a very happy Rick Hendrick or Joe Gibbs.
Yesterday, Monday, January 12, 2026, was the official opening salvo. If you were looking for a surprise, you’re gonna be disappointed.
The Dominance of Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell
Kyle Larson is basically a cheat code at this point. After clinching his second NASCAR Cup Series title just a couple of months ago, he showed up in Tulsa and did exactly what everyone expected: he won. Larson took the checkered flag in the Monday night preliminary feature, marking his ninth career prelim win. He started fourth, which, for a guy like him, is basically the front row. By the 10th lap, he was leading.
It wasn't a Sunday drive, though. He actually tangled with a lapped car, Gaige Weldon, which could have ended his night. Instead, it just seemed to "calm the race down," according to Larson himself. He’s now locked into Saturday’s 55-lap championship feature.
Then there’s Christopher Bell.
Bell isn't just a driver this year; he’s an owner-driver. That adds a massive layer of stress. He mentioned feeling like he was going to "puke" before the Race of Champions (ROC) because he was worrying about whether the car was set up right. It was. He led from flag to flag in the 25-lap ROC, beating out Shane Golobic and proving that the No. 20 Toyota for Joe Gibbs Racing isn't the only thing he can make go fast.
Why These Dirt Wins Actually Matter for NASCAR
You might think dirt midget racing has nothing to do with the High Point 400 or the Daytona 500. You'd be wrong.
Basically, the car control these guys learn on a temporary quarter-mile clay oval translates directly to the "save" they make at 190 mph on asphalt. When you see Larson or Bell slide a car sideways and catch it with inches to spare, that’s the dirt background talking.
- Kyle Larson: 3-time Chili Bowl Champ (2020, 2021, 2025).
- Christopher Bell: 3-time Chili Bowl Champ (2017-2019).
- The Trend: Since 2017, NASCAR regulars have basically owned the Golden Driller trophy.
The momentum from these early January wins is real. Larson used his Monday win last year to catapult into a dominant Cup season. Seeing him start 2026 with a victory in Tulsa should be terrifying for the rest of the field.
What’s Changing in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series?
While we’re tracking the nascar winner of today's race in the dirt, the big bosses in Charlotte just dropped a bombshell about the actual Cup season.
They are bringing back "The Chase."
If you hated the one-race, winner-take-all finale at Phoenix, you’re in luck. Starting this year, the championship will be decided over a 10-race cumulative points stretch. No more "Game 7" moments where a lucky caution determines the season. Now, the 2026 champion has to be "lightning fast and incredibly consistent," as Mark Martin put it.
The season finale is also moving. Homestead-Miami Speedway is back as the host of the Championship Race on November 8, 2026. This is a huge win for fans who think 1.5-mile tracks provide better racing than the desert mile in Phoenix.
Unexpected Moves and the Return of a Legend
Speaking of surprises, did anyone have Tony Stewart returning to NASCAR on their 2026 bingo card?
"Smoke" is coming back, but not in a Cup car. He’s jumping into a Ram Truck for Kaulig Racing at Daytona. This is part of Ram's big re-entry into the sport. It’s wild to think about a three-time champ and Hall of Famer rubbing fenders with the kids in the Truck Series, but Stewart’s "free agent" status is going to draw a massive amount of eyes to that Friday night race in February.
He hasn't raced a truck since 2005. Honestly, it’s the kind of move that makes the 2026 season feel a bit like a throwback era, especially with the 10-race Chase coming back into play.
What to Watch for This Week
If you're following the action in Tulsa, the schedule is packed. We’ve got qualifying nights running all through Friday.
- Wednesday (Today): York Plumbing Qualifying Night.
- Thursday: Christopher Bell gets back in the seat for his preliminary night.
- Friday: Jesse Love takes his shot.
- Saturday: The big one. The A-Main. The Golden Driller.
Most people get it wrong—they think the Chili Bowl is just a side quest. In reality, it’s the most intense week of racing these drivers face all year. The margin for error is zero. One bad slide and you’re in the soup, or worse, headed home before the weekend even starts.
Moving Forward: Actionable Insights for Fans
If you want to keep up with who the nascar winner of today's race is throughout the week, you need to be watching FloRacing for the Tulsa updates. For the Cup Series prep, keep an eye on the testing sessions happening as teams adjust to the new "Chase" points structure.
The biggest thing to watch is how Larson and Bell handle the pressure of being the favorites. Larson’s ninth prelim win is a record, but the Saturday finale is a different beast entirely.
To stay ahead of the curve, keep these points in mind:
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- Track the Points: Start looking at 10-race average finishes from 2025. That’s who will win the 2026 title under the new format.
- Watch the Dirt Transfers: See which NASCAR drivers actually make the A-Main on Saturday. It’s a huge indicator of who is "in the zone" before Daytona.
- Check the Entry Lists: Keep an eye on that "Race For The Seat" reality show for the fifth Ram Truck. It’s going to determine a full-time ride for a new face in the sport.
The 2026 season is shaping up to be a mix of old-school grit and new-school technology. Whether it's Larson on the dirt or Stewart in a Ram, the narrative is clear: the veterans aren't going anywhere without a fight.