Drivers are overjoyed with electric return to Bowman Gray
Yesterday at 04:17 PM
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The atmosphere was electric. The scenes resembled the Bowman Gray Stadium of the past, with a fresh coat of flair.
The aura of Bowman Gray began during the track walk on Saturday afternoon. Fans cheered or heckled when spotting out drivers they cheer for or root against, only a catch fence separating from these gladiators. And when William Byron led the opening group of Cup Series practice out to the rugged quarter-mile race track on Saturday evening, a mass of hardcore race fans rose to their feet and cheered. For the first time in nearly 54 years, Cup cars were on the hallowed grounds of the mythical "Madhouse."
The fans‘ passion was on full display throughout the weekend. Buying a seat was the only way in, but those seats were never occupied as fans remained on their feet throughout the two nights of racing. When they felt Ricky Stenhouse Jr. did hometown hero Burt Myers wrong in the Last Chance Qualifier on Sunday evening, they told Stenhouse he was No. 1.
Sure, The Cook Out Clash was an exhibition race, but drivers returned to their roots. Many of the biggest names, including eventual race winner Chase Elliott, in the Cup Series competed at Bowman Gray over a decade ago as they rose through the ranks. Now, it was their turn to put on a show on the biggest stage of all.
And, boy did they. Ryan Blaney raced from shotgun on the field, having to take a provisional as the highest driver in points from 2024 to not be locked into the main event through the qualifying heats or the Last Chance Qualifier, to finish runner-up to Elliott. The No. 12 car did so unconventionally by Bowman Gray standards, rarely using the chrome horn to advance his position.
It was Elliott who led 171 of 200 laps from pole position, holding off a hard-charging Blaney late in the race. He considers it a monumental win.
"It was a moment I’ll never forget," Elliott said. "It’s not every day you not only race in an environment like that, but to have the opportunity to win and kind of share that moment with the crowd, it was really cool.
"I hope we put on a good show. I hope they enjoyed it. Seemed like they were into it throughout the night. Seemed like a success."
The track was quite competitive, too. Joey Logano, who made a late rally to finish fourth, was reminded of what he used to feel on short tracks when tire management and throttle tracing was paramount. Even for the most traditionalist of racers, he felt the wreck-filled Last Chance Qualifying race was entertaining where tempers flared.
"As the race went on, you saw the top lane come in a little bit," Logano said. "You could start to kind of work some crossovers and stuff. At the end, I don’t think anyone was getting wide open. Probably not even close. That was fun.
"I can’t remember the last time I went around a racetrack and I didn’t get wide open. A little bit of the old days with the old car, which was fun where you really got to manage your car and be a smart racer. You don’t have that everywhere, but it’s nice to see Goodyear can bring that tire here."
Even Kyle Larson and Josh Berry, both of whom had to finesse their way through the Last Chance Qualifying race, were thrilled. Before the race, Larson spoke to himself, knowing how physical it was going to be.
"With it being an exhibition race, everybody‘s give a [expletive], good or bad, is less," Larson said. "I didn‘t get wrecked, but I told myself before the race, 'If you get wrecked, don‘t get mad or retaliate. Don‘t do something stupid.‘ It is fun and it‘s fun to see the crowd get more into it as the race is going on. It‘s a neat environment."
Berry was remorseful, but knowing only 23 cars would advance, he needed to find a way through. He spun multiple drivers out during the last chance race, but was on the positive end after 75 laps.
"More than I care to admit," Berry said of how much fun he was having. "It was rough for sure, but it makes it a lot easier when your car is good."
Among the biggest surprises of the weekend was Sunoco Rookie of the Year candidate Shane van Gisbergen, who easily raced into the main event on Saturday by finishing third in his qualifying heat. He ended the first weekend of his rookie campaign with a ninth-place finish.
"It‘s pretty fun being able to hit people, but it‘s not fun when you‘re on the receiving end," van Gisbergen stated. "It was awesome. It‘s a good low-stress way. Most of the people on the [No.] 88 are all new people at Trackhouse. It‘s a good way for us to all settle in and it‘s a team bonding. Running well helps, as well."
Whether Bowman Gray returns as the host track of The Clash in 2026 will be decided in the coming months. The majority of drivers will certainly be heavily in favor of it returning to kickstart next year.
"You’re going to pack it out," Blaney said on whether he believes the 2026 Clash should return to Bowman Gray. "There’s going to be just as many people here next year as there was tonight. I don’t think it would lose any of its luster."
Logano, who was sitting to Blaney‘s right, went a step further, acknowledging how dedicated the Bowman Gray race fans truly are.
"From what I hear, they pack this place out every weekend without the star power of Cup guys," he noted. "Just race fans; they like racing."
Being the race winner might skew Elliott‘s persuasion level, but he believes it‘s as good of a track as any to host the exhibition event.
Elliott said: "I just feel like if we’re going to race on a football field, this is probably as good of a place as any to do it."
