The roar of stock cars is heading back to Winston-Salem. NASCAR has confirmed that the 2026 Cup Series season will once again kick off at Bowman Gray Stadium, bringing the Cook Out Clash back to one of the sport’s most iconic venues. After a packed house and positive fan response in 2025, NASCAR is giving “The Madhouse” another turn in the spotlight.
Key Highlights
The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season begins February 1 at Bowman Gray Stadium
The Cook Out Clash returns to the quarter-mile bullring, broadcast by FOX Sports
This will be the second straight year the Clash takes place at Bowman Gray
Chase Elliott won the 2025 race after holding off Ryan Blaney in a 200-lap showdown
Recent improvements include SAFER barriers and upgraded MUSCO lighting
Bowman Gray is NASCAR’s oldest weekly track and first hosted Cup cars in 1958
A Return to Short-Track Fireworks
NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray in 2025 broke a 54-year drought—and fans showed up in force. The grandstands were filled to capacity as Chase Elliott edged out Ryan Blaney in a hard-fought, elbows-out 200-lapper. The success of that event made one thing clear: the fans want more.
Joey Dennewitz of NASCAR Regional made it official this week, noting that the Clash was more than just a throwback—it was a chance to add a new chapter to a storied legacy.
“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year.” – Joey Dennewitz
It wasn’t just drivers and fans who showed up. NASCAR invested heavily in preparing the track, installing SAFER barriers to improve safety and adding MUSCO lights to set the tone for a big-league production. The results paid off—not just with a sellout crowd, but with a unique atmosphere that stood out in the modern racing landscape.
Why Bowman Gray Still Hits Different
To NASCAR lifers, Bowman Gray isn’t just a short track—it’s a sacred one. The stadium has hosted races since 1949 and was once a regular stop on the Cup Series calendar between 1958 and 1971. It’s where legends clashed, rivalries took shape, and bumpers were treated as bargaining chips.
Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines celebrated the impact of the 2025 event and hinted at even bigger things in 2026.
“The 2025 race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved.”
“We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful.” – Allen Joines
The track’s tight corners and high-contact racing have long earned it the nickname “The Madhouse.” Add in the unpredictable “Madhouse Scramble” inversion format, and it’s a recipe for chaos—and a show fans won’t forget.
Bowman Gray’s ties to the France family run deep. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s current racing development lead, once raced and won at the stadium. His grandfather, Bill France Jr., even met his future wife in the grandstands there back in 1957.
What’s in Store for 2026
While full details for next year’s event haven’t been released, fans can likely expect a similar structure to 2025. That race featured four heat races, a Last Chance Qualifier, and a 22-car, 200-lap main event—a format that balanced grassroots grit with Cup Series horsepower.
FOX Sports will again handle the national broadcast, putting one of NASCAR’s most unique events in front of a broad audience. With the sport continuing to lean into variety through its In-Season Challenge, the return to Bowman Gray is another example of NASCAR blending tradition with experimentation.
Thanks to NASCAR assuming operational control of the track in March 2024, there’s now more room to push boundaries. That integration helps streamline planning and gives NASCAR the tools to deliver something special—without losing the heart and soul of the venue.
And if history is any guide, the action on track will be anything but predictable.
News in Brief: Cook Out Clash Return for 2026 Season Opener
NASCAR will open the 2026 Cup Series season with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on February 1. The event returns to the legendary Winston-Salem short track for the second straight year, following a successful 2025 race won by Chase Elliott. FOX Sports will again broadcast the exhibition race, which is expected to feature heat racing and a 200-lap main event. Stadium improvements and strong fan turnout have helped solidify Bowman Gray’s spot as a staple in NASCAR’s evolving calendar.
ALSO READ: What You Need to Know About Sonoma Raceway Before NASCAR Returns
