If weather conditions allow, NASCAR is set to host the Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, February 1st. For those unfamiliar, “The Clash” is a preseason exhibition race that has been a tradition in NASCAR since 1979.
Initially, the event was a 20-lap sprint race held at Daytona International Speedway and was exclusively for the previous season’s pole winners. However, the race has undergone significant changes over time, especially in recent years.
The venue for the race has shifted from its original location to various sites, including the Daytona Road Course, Los Angeles, a temporary track inside the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and now to the legendary 400-meter Bowman Gray track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
What is the format?
The race has expanded beyond its original exclusive format and now features all 36 NASCAR Cup charter teams along with several open teams expected to participate in this weekend’s event. However, simply entering doesn’t guarantee a spot in the main race.
Due to a shortened schedule and the cancellation of heat races because of a forecasted storm on Saturday, drivers and teams will need to put in extra effort to qualify for the main event. Each driver will have four minutes to record their fastest lap, with the top 20 drivers advancing to compete in a 200-lap feature race.
The remaining competitors will face a last-chance qualifying race, where the top two finishers will earn spots in the main event. Additionally, the 23rd and final grid position will be reserved for the driver who earns the highest points for the 2025 season but hasn’t qualified through other means.
Who will race this weekend?
Heading to snowy Bowman Gray this weekend are 38 entries, including the 36 charter teams. Besides those, the No. 66 “Garage 66” Ford driven by Chad Fincham and the Team Ameribet No. 50 Chevrolet with Bowman Gray veteran Bart Myers will also compete.
Most of the announced drivers remain with the same teams as last year, but there are noteworthy changes making their debut this season. Notable new line-ups include Daniel Suarez driving the No. 7 for Spire Motorsport, Connor Girish in the No. 88 for Trackhouse Racing, and Shane van Gisbergen taking on the familiar No. 97. Additionally, Corey LaJoie will step into the No. 6 car for RFK Racing, filling in while team co-owner Brad Keselowski recovers from an offseason leg injury.
The event also offers a valuable chance for newly formed driver and crew chief partnerships to build chemistry in a competitive race setting before the start of the official points-paying season at Daytona. Below is the official entry list for the 2026 Cookout Clash at the iconic Bowman Gray “Madhouse.”
Fan Take: This preseason showdown is crucial for NASCAR fans as it offers a glimpse of fresh talent and team dynamics before the championship race kicks off, adding excitement and anticipation. The move to Bowman Gray not only honors the sport’s history but also introduces a unique, intense racing environment that could shake up traditional competition.
