Chase Elliott‘s win at the famed Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, during the Cook Out Clash brought renewed excitement to a legendary venue, as he claimed victory for Hendrick Motorsports behind the wheel of the No. 9 Chevrolet ZL1 in 2024. The highly anticipated race saw Elliott leverage his pole position, but his reflections reveal the Chase Elliott Bowman Gray win was as much about smart execution as outright speed.
The event‘s drama was accentuated by Ryan Blaney of Team Penske, who delivered a determined performance by charging from last in the No. 12 Ford Mustang Dark Horse to a second-place finish. The outcome underscored the unpredictable nature of races at this unique quarter-mile asphalt oval, known affectionately as ‘The Madhouse’ by fans and drivers alike.
Track Position Versus Comeback Stories at Bowman Gray
Ahead of the 2025 event, which could face weather delays due to heavy snowfall in the area, Elliott spoke candidly to FOX Sports about the complexities of racing at Bowman Gray. Despite his own front-row start, Elliott was quick to highlight that a good grid position isn’t always decisive, especially given Blaney’s impressive recovery last year.
“It was a really smooth weekend for us, and I think that was probably the biggest takeaway. I think going back was qualifying well, sets you up well for your heat race, got us into a great position to have good track position all night,”
Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion, said.
Still, Elliott made it clear that perseverance could outweigh pure starting order, especially at this challenging track.
“I don’t necessarily think that’s the end-all be-all. I think Ryan kind of debunked that with his performance in the main, but certainly it’d be nice to get off to a good start again this year, and I think we can do that.”
—Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion.
Ryan Blaney’s Memorable Drive From the Back
Ryan Blaney’s near-win in 2024 has set the tone for hopefuls at the upcoming race. Blaney, who overcame a last-place start in qualifying, nearly snatched victory from Elliott, marking a back-to-front journey that demonstrated resilience and tactical racing.
“I was saying last year we came from last to third, this year last to second. Got to not start last and have a shot to win one of these things. Yeah, that was fun. That was a blast.”
—Ryan Blaney, Team Penske driver.
Blaney is intent on avoiding a repeat of his difficult qualifying run in the next event, aiming for a smoother path that may finally yield the top step on the podium. As the drivers prepare for potentially adverse weather conditions, the focus remains on adaptability and making the most of every track opportunity.
The Electrifying Atmosphere of ‘The Madhouse’
Reflecting on last year’s event, Elliott praised the event organizers and the energy brought by everyone involved, describing how the unique Bowman Gray crowd added intensity to his win and the overall experience.
“I thought the atmosphere was great, and obviously we won, and that was awesome, but taking that out of the equation, I really thought it was a really well-run event, and I thought the energy level and the fans and everybody that was there was super fired up,”
Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion, said.
“Even for it to have been as cold as it was, I thought it was a great and very energetic turnout for what we had going on.”
—Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion.
The chilly conditions last year did little to dampen the spirits of the drivers or the crowd. Fans and competitors alike embraced the high-stakes racing and lively environment that defines NASCAR’s brief but memorable return to this historic oval.
Adapting to Weather and Qualifying Changes for 2025
Forecasts for the upcoming race weekend have forced NASCAR officials to adjust their plans. The original schedule, including Saturday’s heat races, has been postponed. The series now plans to set the starting lineup using nine total practice sessions on Sunday, with drivers divided into three groups. Each group will run three sessions, and the final round will determine which 20 cars enter the main race.
Additionally, a last-chance qualifier held Sunday will allow two more drivers to secure spots in the feature event. Another place will go to the highest non-qualifier from last season’s points tally, a position similar to what Blaney secured in 2025. These changes highlight NASCAR’s commitment to maintaining fairness and excitement despite weather-related disruptions.
The Significance of Bowman Gray’s Cook Out Clash for NASCAR
Chase Elliott’s perspective emphasizes that success at Bowman Gray depends on more than a strong qualifying run; tactical awareness, adaptability, and managing pressure are crucial. The return to Bowman Gray has reignited interest in traditional tracks and intense short-track racing, with teams like Hendrick Motorsports, Team Penske, and standout drivers such as Elliott and Blaney drawing attention to every turn of the quarter-mile circuit.
With the backdrop of shifting weather and evolving race formats, all eyes are on the drivers and their ability to handle the unpredictable conditions. The next Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray promises to build on last year’s energy, offering another showcase of skill, strategy, and the passionate spirit that defines NASCAR racing at ‘The Madhouse’ in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
Chase Elliott is the defending winner of the Clash at Bowman Gray. As he told us last week at FOX Sports production day, he is looking forward to the exhibition race, which is scheduled for Sunday night: @NASCARONFOX pic.twitter.com/yn5E2TjJKz
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) January 28, 2026
