Chase Elliott claims pole at Bowman Gray, setting up a thrilling showdown at NASCAR’s most intense venue. As the No. 9 Chevrolet driver prepares for the 200-lap race, all eyes are on him to see if he can turn his front-row spot into victory. But he’s not alone in the spotlight—Chris Buescher made a statement by leading all laps in Heat Race 2. The stage is set for a dramatic clash, and fans are eagerly awaiting what could be another wild chapter in NASCAR’s history.
Key Highlights
- Chase Elliott secured pole position for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium.
- Elliott led all 25 laps in Heat Race 1 driving the No. 9 Chevrolet.
- Chris Buescher will join Elliott on the front row for the 200-lap main event.
- Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick won their heat races, claiming key starting spots.
- The Last Chance Qualifier will determine the final spots in the main event lineup.
Chase Elliott Secures Pole Position for the Cook Out Clash
Chase Elliott’s impressive performance in Heat Race 1 catapulted him to the pole position for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, marking a notable moment as NASCAR returns to this historic short track for the initial time since 1971.
Elliott, driving for Hendrick Motorsports in the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet, dominated the competition by leading all 25 laps of the opening heat race. His clean and tactical driving guaranteed he maintained the lead, ultimately securing the coveted pole position.
As the Dawsonville, GA native prepares for the 200-lap main event at the notoriously challenging “Madhouse,” he acknowledges the immense advantage of starting from the front row.
“Absolutely, it’s going to be tough to win from third, fourth row. I think the first couple of rows, certainly, have a massive advantage over the rest of the field.”
“Obviously, anything can happen, I’ve been doing this, y’all have been watching this long enough to know anything can happen. I’m well aware of that. But I just think in a normal circumstance of people not totally crashing each other or whatever, yeah, I certainly would want to be on the first couple of rows, and fortunately we are. So, we’ll try to take advantage of that.” – Chase Elliott
Elliott expressed confidence, understanding the significance of track position, especially at a venue known for its unpredictable racing dynamics. With this beneficial starting position, he aims to capitalize on the opportunity, aware of the potential for mayhem in such a race.
Chris Buescher and RFK Racing Make a Statement
With Chase Elliott securing the spotlight at the pole position, attention also turns to Chris Buescher and RFK Racing, who are making significant strides of their own.
Chris Buescher, a seasoned NASCAR Cup Series competitor, joins Elliott on the front row for the main event at Bowman Gray. This achievement follows his impressive performance in Heat Race 2, where he led every lap. Remarkably, this marks Buescher’s inaugural appearance in the Cook Out Clash Main Event after previous challenges at the LA Memorial Coliseum.
The key to RFK Racing’s recent success on flat, short tracks, like Bowman Gray, lies in the supplement of Ryan Preece. Preece, who shifted from the now-defunct Stewart-Haas Racing, has brought valuable insights to the team.
Buescher credits Preece’s experience for refining their approach to these challenging tracks. As evidenced by their strong showing, all RFK Racing Ford Mustang Dark Horses will be competing in Sunday’s main event.
“For us, a lot of things we learned of what not to do at [the Coliseum], and we weren’t good any of the times we went. We steadily found some things out where we were a little bit better, but ultimately, needed a pretty big overhaul.,”
“I would say that Preece has been a pretty big mover for us on some of these flat short tracks. You know, some of the things he’s done through the years that have worked really well. Last year, they kind of excelled in this style of race, that was really beneficial to RFK as a whole.” – Chris Buescher
Toyota Duo Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick Secure Key Starting Spots
Denny Hamlin and Tyler Reddick have skillfully positioned themselves for success by clinching key starting spots in the upcoming Main Event at Bowman Gray.
Both drivers, representing Toyota Racing, showcased their expertise by leading all 25 laps in their respective Heat Races. Hamlin triumphed in Heat Race 3, while Reddick secured victory in Heat Race 4, earning them the second and fourth starting positions for Sunday’s event.
Their performances on the track exemplified precision and control, essential elements for success at a venue known for its unpredictable nature.
In total, 20 drivers secured their starting positions for the Main Event through their performances in Saturday night’s Heat Races.
The races were marked by intense competition, with notable drivers such as Brad Keselowski and Kyle Busch advancing from Heat Race 1. For Busch, the expedition included overcoming a collision with Justin Haley, showcasing the resilience and determination required to excel in this challenging environment.
Intense Battles and Contact Define the Heat Races
The Heat Races at Bowman Gray were an exciting spectacle, marked by intense battles and frequent contact among drivers. The high stakes were evident as racers jostled for position, leading to dramatic moments and captivating finishes.
"Welcome to Bowman Gray."
(Reminder: Only green laps count) pic.twitter.com/bu8V6TOhpm
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 2, 2025
- In Heat Race 2, Chase Briscoe, Shane van Gisbergen, Bubba Wallace, and Daniel Suarez secured spots in the Main Event, showcasing their skill and determination.
- Heat Race 3 saw Joey Logano, William Byron, Carson Hocevar, and Alex Bowman advance behind Denny Hamlin, maintaining composure during the chaos.
- Christopher Bell, Ryan Preece, Austin Cindric, and Todd Gilliland clinched their places in the Main Event alongside winner Tyler Reddick in Heat Race 4, maneuvering through adversity.
- Ryan Preece’s narrow escape from a crash involving Cole Custer and AJ Allmendinger, followed by a retaliatory move against John Hunter Nemechek, highlighted the aggressive nature of these races.
Last Chance Qualifier Will Determine Final Spots in the Clash
As anticipation builds for the final spots in the 2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, the Last Chance Qualifier emerges as a critical juncture for hopeful drivers.
With 20 positions already secured, three coveted slots remain open in the starting lineup. The stakes are high as drivers prepare to compete in Sunday night’s 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier Race. Positions 21 and 22 will be awarded to the drivers who finish initial and subsequent, respectively, in this decisive race.
The final starting spot will be given to the driver highest in the 2024 NASCAR Cup Series championship standings who has yet to secure a place in the field. This unique criterion adds an intriguing twist, ensuring that past performance is rewarded even in the heat of last-minute contention.
As the clash approaches, the drivers are keenly aware that every lap, every maneuver, and every split-second decision could seal their fate.
News in Brief: Chase Elliott Claims Pole at Bowman Gray
As the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray approaches, Chase Elliott’s pole position sets a promising tone for the main event. Chris Buescher and RFK Racing have shown their potential, while Toyota’s Hamlin and Reddick have secured tactical starting spots. The heat races have been marked by intense battles and frequent contact, adding to the anticipation. With the last chance qualifier poised to finalize the lineup, drivers and fans enthusiastically await the looming excitement on race day.
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