Cody Ware, a fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver and Greensboro native, is poised for a special homecoming at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, this weekend. Ware’s lifelong connection with Bowman Gray forms the centerpiece of his return, as he participates in the Cook Out Clash, the exhibition race that marks the opening of NASCAR’s 78th season, highlighting his deep racing roots in the area.
From Spectator to NASCAR Driver: A Local Journey
Bowman Gray Stadium has played a pivotal role in Ware’s racing upbringing, shaping his journey from a local fan to a professional driver. Raised in a racing family in Greensboro, just a short drive from the iconic Winston-Salem oval, Ware experienced the sport from the grandstands before stepping into Modified cars at the very track where his dreams began. Over time, his career advanced across a range of racing disciplines, culminating in his place among the elite drivers of the NASCAR Cup Series.
“There’s not another racetrack where I can say that I went from its grandstands to its weekly lineup to the NASCAR Cup Series,”
Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver, said.
“Bowman Gray is a part of my racing roots, and now with the Clash, I’m able to go back as a Cup driver. It’s a full-circle moment.”
– Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver
New Machinery and Technical Alliances for Ware
This weekend, the 30-year-old returns to Bowman Gray at the wheel of his revamped No. 51 Chevrolet Camaro for Rick Ware Racing. The car, powered by an ECR R07 V8 engine generating 750 horsepower, reflects significant changes for the team, including a technical partnership with Richard Childress Racing. Ware and his crew tested their new setup at North Wilkesboro Speedway, working closely with RCR’s engineers and personnel. The transition from a Ford platform to Chevrolet presented logistical and technical hurdles, but the collaboration has delivered renewed optimism within Rick Ware Racing.
“Having to make the transition from Ford to Chevrolet was a big undertaking for the whole team,”
Ware said.
“The integration with RCR, their engineers and, really, all of their employees, has been impressive, and the test was another good example. It gave us renewed confidence that the direction we’re heading as a race team is the right one.”
– Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver
“Partnering with Chevrolet was the right choice. Everything from the engine package to the aerodynamics of the new body, there are just so many positives. It’s early, but we feel like it’s already paying dividends.”
– Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver
Challenging Competition Awaits at the Madhouse
The Cook Out Clash serves as a significant test for Ware at “The Madhouse,” Bowman Gray’s storied quarter-mile. To reach the main 200-lap feature event, Ware must first qualify through heat races, where only the top five in each segment secure a berth. With 38 drivers expected and only 23 spots available, the intensity promises to be high, as those who don’t advance through the heats have a final opportunity in a 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier, where merely two more can join the field.
On the famously tight oval, earning a competitive starting position is critical, as passing can quickly turn physical. The character of the circuit often results in close-quarters racing and rivalries, affirming Bowman Gray’s reputation as a challenging battleground.
“You have to be aggressive. If you’re not going to be the person who’s making the aggressive moves, you’re probably going to be the person who’s going to have said moves used on you,”
Ware said. – Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver
“You have to separate the ties and dynamics and relationships you have off the racetrack. Anyone who goes into Bowman Gray thinking it’s all going to be rainbows and sunshine where everyone’s going to walk away happy, they’re very much living in a fantasy. When you’re on the track, you have no friends, only enemies.”
– Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver
A Sibling Rivalry Adds Inspiration
For Ware, returning to his home track also awakens memories of a friendly rivalry with his brother, Carson. Carson Ware achieved victory at Bowman Gray in his first Modified feature, prevailing against established competitors like Burt Myers—a fact he playfully reminds Cody of often.
“My brother, Carson, in his first time ever in a Modified, won at Bowman Gray. He held off Burt Myers in the feature and won the race,”
Ware said. – Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver
“So, last year he said to me, ‘If you don’t win this, there’s still only going to be one Ware brother with a win at Bowman Gray.’ You’d think he’d won the Daytona 500 or Indianapolis 500 with how he holds that Bowman Gray win over my head.”
– Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver
Despite the competitive banter, the Ware brothers remain unwavering supporters of each other, carrying on their family’s racing heritage at Bowman Gray and beyond. As Carson sets his sights on more starts in coming seasons, Cody is committed to being a crucial resource while continuing to cheer him on in both Modifieds and higher levels of competition.
“We both have family history at Bowman Gray,”
the elder Ware said.
“We’ve both raced Modifieds there, and any opportunity we have to race, we’re beyond grateful for. As my brother gets to race more and more here in 2026 and beyond, I want to be the biggest asset that I can be for him. He supports me every weekend. He’s watching the Cup races, cheering me on and texting me and talking to me after the races. And I do the same for him.”
– Cody Ware, fulltime NASCAR Cup Series driver
Weekend Schedule and Coverage Details
The Clash weekend features a packed schedule, initiating Saturday at 1:15 p.m. EST with the Madhouse Classic—an homage to the Modified division that set the Ware brothers on their racing paths. NASCAR Cup Series action kicks off Saturday evening with practice and tightly contested heat races under the lights, with television audiences able to tune in via FS1 and the Cup Series’ climactic events covered on FOX beginning Sunday at 8 p.m. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will also provide continuous live coverage. The exhibition not only spotlights the local heroes but also signals the start of NASCAR’s most extensive season, extending to November with the championship finale at Homestead-Miami Speedway.
The Legacy and Impact of Cody Ware’s Bowman Gray Homecoming
Cody Ware’s return to Bowman Gray Stadium is far more than a race; it is a celebration of personal and community history, a symbolic reunion tying together his early inspirations and present-day achievements. Amid the emotion and intensity that marks both the legendary venue and the start of another NASCAR season, Ware’s journey stands as a testament to the enduring influence of local short tracks and family traditions on motorsport’s biggest stages. As Ware competes among NASCAR’s best at a place deeply intertwined with his racing identity, local fans and the greater racing world will watch closely to see if this homecoming chapter leads to new memories—and perhaps, a long-awaited Victory Lane visit—at the famed Winston-Salem track.
