The Nascar Cup Series begins the 2026 season with the Cook Out Clash, an exhibition event held at the Bowman Gray Stadium, in Winston-Salem, at the Carolina of the Norte. The race, originally scheduled for Sunday, was postponed until Monday, February 2, at 8:00 pm Eastern Time, due to a winter storm that hit the region with snow and low temperatures. The broadcast will be on FOX, with coverage also on MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
The event has 38 cars registered, 36 from charter teams and two additional cars from open teams. Diferentemente of the previous year, the format was adjusted due to the absence of qualifying heats, canceled due to adverse weather conditions that prevented activities over the weekend.
The classification will directly define the positions, with the 20 fastest guaranteeing a place in the main race of 200 laps. The rest will compete in a 75-lap repechage, from which the first two advance, while 23rd position will be filled by the driver best placed in the 2025 championship among those not classified.
Format adjusted for the exhibition event
The Cook Out Clash maintains its exhibition racing characteristics, without earning points towards the official Cup Series championship. The training session will be divided into groups, with two short practices of eight minutes each, followed by the classification that serves as the basis for the grid.
Drivers outside the top 20 in the standings compete in the repechage, known as Last Chance Qualifier. Essa short race determines the last places in the main race, adding competitiveness to the event that opens the calendar.
The last position on the 23-car grid is reserved for the driver with the best performance in the previous season among those eligible. Essa rule guarantees participation of consolidated names even in case of poor performance in the single classification.
The quarter-mile circuit requires specific car adjustments, with an emphasis on acceleration and control in tight corners. Teams receive five sets of dry tires and four for wet tracks, adapting to recent weather variations.
Pilots highlighted in the list of entries
The list brings together the main names from Cup Series, with champions and young talents divided between traditional teams. Kyle Larson, 2021 champion, drives Chevrolet number 5 of Hendrick Motorsports, one of the favorites for the title in 2026.
Denny Hamlin, with extensive experience in short races, controls the number 11 Toyota for Ryan Blaney, current defensive champion in some projections, lines up Ford number 12 of Team Penske alongside teammates like Joey Logano.
- Ross Chastain opens the list in Chevrolet number 1 of Trackhouse Racing, known for aggressive maneuvers on short tracks.
- Chase Elliott, popular among fans, defends number 9 Hendrick Motorsports in search of redemption after uneven seasons.
- Tyler Reddick, fast on mixed circuits, drives number 45 of the 23XI Racing.
Shane van Sua quick adaptation to the American style draws attention to the expected performance.
News and substitutions in the competition
Corey LaJoie temporarily takes over Ford number 6 for RFK Racing in place of Brad Keselowski, who is recovering from a fractured right femur. LaJoie brings short track experience and is looking to impress in a single entry.
Burt Myers, local Bowman Gray Stadium legend with multiple wins in the Modified division, returns for the second consecutive year in Team AmeriVet’s No. Sua participation honors the weekly tradition of the circuit.
Chad Finchum drives Ford number 66 of Garage 66, representing one of the open teams in the race. Outros names like Connor Zilisch, young promise, line up at Chevrolet number 37 of Trackhouse Racing in initial opportunity.
Riley Herbst, previously at Essas entries add variety to the already competitive grid.
History of Bowman Gray Stadium on Nascar
The Bowman Gray Stadium has a long history in American motorsport, with weekly races since 1949 and status as the oldest flat track in continuous activity by the Nascar. The place hosted Cup Series events between 1958 and 1971, marking generations of pilots.
Known as “The Madhouse” for the intensity of the head-to-head contests, the quarter-mile circuit favors contact and aggressive strategies. The return of the Cup Series in 2025 has revitalized national interest in the historic venue.
The current configuration maintains original features, with stands close to the track and the unique atmosphere of a sports stadium. The choice for the subsequent Clash reinforces the value of short tracks in the modern calendar.
The presence of local riders like Myers connects the exhibition event to the Winston-Salem community. Essa integration strengthens the identity of Nascar in traditional circuits.
Confirmed teams and numbers
The main organizations of Cup Series have a full presence, with Hendrick Motorsports lining up four cars led by Larson, Elliott, Byron and Bowman. Joe Gibbs Racing continues with Hamlin, Bell, Gibbs and Briscoe in competitive Toyotas.
Team Penske contributes with Blaney, Logano and Cindric in Fords prepared for short ovals. Richard Childress Racing enters Busch and Dillon, while Trackhouse Racing bets on Chastain, Zilisch and Gisbergen.
- Front Row Motorsports: Gragson, Gilliland and Smith.
- Spire Motorsports: Suárez, Hocevar and McDowell.
- RFK Racing: Buescher, Preece and LaJoie’s temporary entry.
Legacy Motor Club, HYAK Motorsports and smaller teams complete the open grid. Essa diversity reflects the expansion of charter and open entries in the category.
Expectations for the main race
The 200-lap race promises intense disputes on a short track, with a historical average of raised yellow flags due to constant contact. Estratégias of pit stops gain importance, influencing the final result.
Experienced short track riders, such as Busch and Hamlin, set out as natural references. Jovens like Reddick and Chastain can surprise with controlled aggression.
The cold expected for Monday affects tire behavior and initial grip. Equipes adjusts setups during limited training to maximize performance on the night.
The repechage adds extra excitement, with drivers under pressure for a place in the feature. Essa dynamics makes the event unpredictable from the beginning.
Weekend operational details
All activities are concentrated on Monday, with training starting at 2pm local time, followed by classification and repechage at 4:30pm. The main race begins at 8pm Eastern Time, allowing for evening completion.
Available tires include specific sets for training, qualifying and racing, with wet options if instability persists. The Nascar monitors track conditions following recent snow.
Fans in attendance face low temperatures, but local energy makes up for the weather challenge. The organization distributes constant updates on security and access.
The event marks the second consecutive year at Bowman Gray, consolidating the track as a fixed stage for Clash. Essa continuity pleases traditional racing enthusiasts.
Additional participants and context
Teams like Kaulig Racing enter Allmendinger and Dillon at Chevrolets, while Wood Brothers lines up Berry at Ford historic number 21.
The absence of Keselowski opens the door for LaJoie to demonstrate versatility in top equipment. Myers and Finchum represent the grassroots spirit of Nascar among professionals.
The Clash serves as ideal preparation for the season, testing cars in real competition conditions. Resultados influence confidence for Daytona.
The list reflects the health of the category, with 38 applications for just 23 vacancies. Essa competitiveness raises the level of display
