NASCAR competitor Ryan Blaney has publicly supported Bowman Gray Stadium as the site for the 2026 Clash, arguing that the venue delivers a superior race compared to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. NASCAR confirmed its return to the Winston-Salem short track after the success of the 2025 Cook Out Clash, and Blaney’s comments highlight nostalgia and community value as driving reasons for his endorsement of the move.
The decision for NASCAR to revisit Bowman Gray Stadium came after the 2025 Cup Series visit, which marked the first major event at the historic venue in over fifty years. The stadium, located in Winston-Salem, became a hot topic across social media circles, with fans debating its impact, but Blaney was vocal in his approval and referenced his personal ties to the region, saying:
“I’m excited it’s going back to Winston Salem. Growing up around that area, it meant a lot to me. High Point, Wednesday in Greensboro—I spent a lot of time in those areas and saw a lot of people that I grew up with that came after that race. It’s good for the community.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
Bowman Gray’s Historic 2025 Return and NASCAR’s Heavy Investment
The 2025 Cook Out Clash not only restored the stadium’s reputation but also drew a sellout crowd and impressive television ratings. As the first Cup Series race at Bowman Gray since the 1970s, the event saw NASCAR upgrade the facility with updated barriers and advanced MUSCO lighting, underlining the company’s commitment to safety and entertainment. Chase Elliott dominated the race, taking the checkered flag after leading the majority of laps. Ryan Blaney finished a close second in the intense 22-car competition, which followed traditional heat races and a last-chance qualifying round.
When questioned about improvements for the upcoming 2026 edition, Blaney made it clear that change was unnecessary, asserting the excitement and quality of the racing at Bowman Gray:
“I don’t really know. I thought it put on a great show. I liked that we’re there with the Mods (Modified cars)… I don’t really think I would change much about it. Honestly, I thought it put on a better race than the Coliseum—like just the raceability of guys passing people and tire fall-off, and I think that’s good.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
Before NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray, the organization had held the Busch Light Clash at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum from 2022 to 2024. Despite the initial novelty of racing in downtown Los Angeles, fans and drivers started to express dissatisfaction over the lack of exciting passing and diminishing race action. The contrast with Bowman Gray’s tightly contested contests and old-school energy has given NASCAR a new model built on racing tradition and heightened competition.
NASCAR’s 2026 Schedule Evolves Amid Speculation of a San Diego Event
While Bowman Gray Stadium is now firmly established on the NASCAR calendar for the 2026 Clash, the broader national schedule is undergoing changes. Reports emerged this week that both Mexico City and the recent Chicago events will not return for the next season, opening opportunities for new venues and road courses. According to updates from motorsport sources, NASCAR appears ready to introduce a new race in San Diego, hosted on a temporary street circuit in Coronado.
This potential addition would allow NASCAR to return to Southern California for the first time since the closure of Auto Club Speedway (Fontana) in 2023, a venue previously central to the sport’s West Coast presence. Ryan Blaney responded enthusiastically to questions about these rumors, drawing parallels to NASCAR’s experiment in Chicago and the organization’s proven ability to assemble competitive urban events:
“That’s circulating more and more—that it might be a possibility, and it might happen. And that would be neat. They’ve proven that they can do it. They’ve done it with Chicago, and they’ve been able to do it with these places that they can build race tracks. I think now NASCAR’s gotten their arms wrapped around it.”
—Ryan Blaney, Driver
The rollout of temporary street circuits—highlighted by the inaugural 2023 Chicago Street Race—has produced mixed racing but undeniable technical and organizational progress. The broadcast reach and sponsorship interest generated by these urban events have demonstrated NASCAR’s ability to captivate new audiences while responding to competitive challenges.
With major schedule reshuffling, including the confirmed absence of Mexico City and Chicago from NASCAR’s 2026 calendar, the San Diego street race is set to fulfill a critical vacancy in the lineup. If officially added in the coming months, the San Diego event would mark another step in NASCAR’s ongoing effort to blend grassroots venues like Bowman Gray with innovative new experiences, preserving the sport’s heritage while embracing bold expansion into new cities and formats. The coming seasons will reveal how these changes shape NASCAR’s future and resonate with fans and communities across the country.
