Due to a winter storm that has dropped several inches of snow on the track, the Cookout Clash at Bowman Gray has been postponed to Monday, February 2. While Sunday is predicted to be sunny, the temperatures are expected to stay below freezing with wind chills potentially in the single digits, prompting NASCAR officials to reschedule the event for safety reasons.
On Monday, temperatures will be more favorable, reaching highs of around 40°F with lows at 19°F, and no significant weather issues are expected. Bowman Gray Stadium released a statement confirming the postponement and noted that NASCAR is closely coordinating with Winston-Salem city and North Carolina officials to ensure the event is conducted safely.
Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive VP and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer, emphasized that fan safety remains the top priority, even when weather conditions are challenging. He also expressed appreciation for the cooperation with local authorities as the operations team prepares intensively for the rescheduled race.
The revised schedule for Monday, February 2, is as follows: the parking lot opens at 9 a.m. ET, shuttle service starts at 9:30 a.m., and gates open at 10 a.m. Practice and qualifying will air on FOX Sports 2 at 11 a.m., with last-chance qualifying airing on FOX at 4:30 p.m., followed by the main race at 6 p.m., also on FOX. Unlike some events, NASCAR will not run heat races, with the top 20 qualifiers entering the main race directly. The 21st and 22nd spots on the grid will go to the top two finishers of the last-chance qualifier, and the final 23rd position will be occupied by the highest finisher from the 2025 Championship who was unable to participate.
Fan Take: This postponement highlights NASCAR’s commitment to safety without sacrificing the excitement of the sport. For fans, rescheduling ensures a safer, more competitive race environment while keeping the season’s momentum alive despite challenging weather.
