WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — For the second consecutive year, the NASCAR Preseason Clash honors the sport’s origins by offering standing room-only laps for fans. However, spectators should be prepared for harsh weather conditions, as temperatures may plunge below freezing.
Even with NASCAR facing temperatures in the teens, officials believe the tires can still grip the tight quarter-mile track at Bowman Gray Stadium enough to run the event (Sunday, 6 p.m. ET, FOX). The primary obstacle to racing is not the cold but the potential snowfall and ice, with forecasts predicting up to 12 inches on Saturday. A winter storm is expected to continue until 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, likely making the weather a central topic alongside the race itself.
All on-track activities scheduled for Saturday have been postponed, and NASCAR plans to compress the event into one day on Sunday, with practice beginning at 2 p.m. ET. According to the FOX weather app as of Thursday afternoon, about 3 inches of snow are expected on Saturday, with temperatures remaining below freezing until Monday and nightly lows in the teens through Tuesday.
Facing snow during an event at this historic NASCAR venue, located inside the Municipal Football Stadium at Winston-Salem State University, NASCAR acknowledges that snow removal from roads, parking areas, and the track will require more time than typical rain delays. The decision to race on Sunday will hinge on the snowfall that occurs on Saturday. Should the event be postponed, NASCAR is prepared to reschedule the race for the soonest possible date when the track and support services are ready.
Here’s how the event format is planned given the conditions:
— Drivers will be split into three practice groups, each with three sessions. The final session times will set the starting positions for both the main event and the last-chance qualifying round.
— Scheduled heat races for Saturday night have been canceled.
— A 75-lap last-chance qualifier on Sunday will award two spots in the main event to drivers who don’t finish in the top 20 in qualifying, with no overtime laps.
— The 23rd and final main event position will go to the driver with the highest points who is not racing, meaning Kyle Larson is currently the only competitor guaranteed a spot.
— The main event will consist of 200 laps, including a break after lap 100. Only laps run under green flag conditions count, and the race must conclude under caution if necessary.
Last year’s winner was Chase Elliott.
Fan Take: This update is crucial for NASCAR fans as it highlights how the sport continues to adapt to unpredictable weather while preserving beloved traditions at classic venues. It also shows NASCAR’s commitment to flexibility in scheduling, which could influence how future snow or weather-related delays are managed across the racing calendar.
