The season opener of Nascar Cup Series was impacted by adverse weather conditions, forcing the postponement of Cook Out Clash. The exhibition race, scheduled for the historic Bowman Gray Stadium, at Winston-Salem, Carolina from
With 38 cars registered for the event, the organization needed to change the format of the competition. The qualifying heats, which were scheduled for the weekend, were cancelled, and the starting grid for the main race will be defined directly, based on a single qualifying session.
The new regulations establish that the 20 fastest drivers in the classification guarantee a direct place in the main race, which will have 200 laps. The remaining competitors will compete in a 75-lap repechage, where only the top two placed advance, completing the grid of 23 cars with the best-placed driver in the 2025 championship who did not qualify.
Format adjusted for the display event
The Cook Out Clash maintains its characteristic of being an exhibition event, that is, it does not distribute points for the official Cup Series championship. The schedule was condensed into a single day, with two brief practice sessions of eight minutes each, followed by the classification that will determine the majority of the grid.
Drivers who are left out of the top 20 in the timings will have one last opportunity in the repechage race, known as Last Chance Qualifier. Esta short race adds an element of tension and competitiveness, defining the last spots for the main race that officially opens the calendar.
A particular rule reserves the 23rd and last position on the grid for the driver with the best performance in the previous season among those who failed to qualify directly. Essa measure ensures the participation of established names, even if they face difficulties in the single qualifying session.
The circuit of just a quarter of a mile requires specific adjustments in the cars, with a focus on acceleration and control in tight curves. The teams received five sets of tires for dry tracks and four for wet tracks, a necessary precaution given recent weather variations.
Pilots highlighted in the list of entries
The entry list brings together the main names of Cup Series, mixing champions and young talents. Kyle Larson, 2021 champion, commands Chevrolet number 5 of Hendrick Motorsports and is considered one of the favorites. Outro strong name is Denny Hamlin, experienced on short tracks, who drives Toyota number 11 of Joe Gibbs Racing. Ryan Blaney, defending his title in some projections, lines up Ford number 12 of Team Penske alongside teammate Joey Logano.
Other prominent competitors include Ross Chastain, with Chevrolet’s number 1 Trackhouse Racing, known for its aggressive maneuvers on short circuits. Chase Elliott, one of the most popular drivers, seeks recovery with the number 9 Chevrolet of the Hendrick Motorsports after irregular seasons, while Tyler Reddick, a specialist in mixed circuits, drives the number 45 car of the 23XI Racing. The rapid adaptation of Shane van Gisbergen to the American style also generates great expectations.
News and substitutions in the competition
One of the main changes on the grid is the presence of Corey LaJoie, who temporarily takes over Ford number 6 from RFK Racing. Ele replaces Brad Keselowski, who is recovering from a fractured right femur, bringing his short track experience to a unique opportunity.
Burt Sua participation is a tribute to the circuit’s weekly tradition and strengthens the event’s connection with the local community.
Among the open teams, Chad Finchum drives the Ford number 66 of the Garage 66. The list of new additions also includes the young promise Connor Zilisch, who will have his first opportunity in the Chevrolet number 37 of the Trackhouse Racing, adding more variety to an already competitive grid.
History of Bowman Gray Stadium on Nascar
The Bowman Gray Stadium is a landmark in American motorsports, hosting weekly races since 1949 and being recognized by the Nascar as the oldest continuously running flat track. The place, which hosted Cup Series events between 1958 and 1971, is known as “The Madhouse” (The Manicômio) due to the intensity of the disputes and the constant contact between cars on its quarter-mile route. The category’s return to the stadium in 2025 has revitalized national interest in the historic stage, which maintains its original characteristics, with stands close to the track and a unique sports stadium atmosphere. The choice for the Clash for the second year in a row reinforces the value of short circuits in the modern calendar.
Confirmed teams and numbers
The main organizations of Cup Series are fully present at the event. The Hendrick Motorsports lines up four cars, led by Larson, Elliott, William Byron and Alex Bowman. The Joe Gibbs Racing competes with the Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ty Gibbs and Chase Briscoe in their Toyotas. Team Penske, in turn, enters with Blaney, Logano and Austin Cindric.
Other confirmed teams include Richard Childress Racing with Kyle Busch and Austin Dillon, and Trackhouse Racing, which bets on Chastain, Zilisch and Gisbergen. Equipes like Front Row Motorsports, Spire Motorsports and RFK Racing also complete the grid, reflecting the expansion of charter and open teams in the category.
Expectations for the main race
The 200-lap race on the short circuit promises intense disputes, with a historically high average of yellow flags due to frequent contacts. Pit stop strategies become crucial and can directly influence the final result on a track where position is fundamental.
Experienced drivers on short ovals, such as Kyle Busch and Denny Hamlin, are considered natural benchmarks for victory. However, young people like Reddick and Chastain can surprise with aggressive and controlled riding, a characteristic necessary to be successful in “The Madhouse”.
Weekend operational details
With the change, all activities were concentrated on Monday. Free practice begins at 2pm local time, followed by qualifying and the repechage race at 4:30pm. The main race is scheduled to begin at 8pm Eastern Time, allowing the event to be completed overnight.
