The start of NASCAR’s racing season has been disrupted by historic snowfall, prompting a major shift in the schedule for the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. Prominent former driver Kenny Wallace is voicing concerns over the new midweek date, suggesting in his latest comments that NASCAR’s current plan could backfire right before Super Bowl weekend, drawing attention to his own alternative schedule idea and igniting fresh debate about NASCAR scheduling.
Heavy Snowfall Forces NASCAR’s Hand
The Cook Out Clash, originally planned for the weekend, was delayed after Winston-Salem and the larger Charlotte area were buried under up to 11 inches of snow—a rare event for the region. This out-of-the-ordinary weather situation made travel and event setup hazardous not only for teams and competitors, but also for fans eager to attend at the historic “Madhouse.” Ultimately, NASCAR and the City of Winston-Salem decided it was safest to reschedule all on-track activities for Wednesday, February 4, at 6 p.m. ET. The new timing, aimed at ensuring fan and participant safety, resulted from an extensive snow removal operation, with NASCAR crews hauling away more than 40 dump trucks of snow in the days leading up to the revised date.
Kenny Wallace Challenges the Midweek Timing
Former NASCAR driver Kenny Wallace sparked debate during a recent Coffee With Kenny episode by questioning the wisdom of moving the marquee event to a Wednesday evening.
“Why not run it on Saturday?”
— Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
Wallace argued that a Saturday race, even with last-minute preparations, could have benefitted from proximity to Super Bowl weekend, capitalizing on peak TV viewership:
“It’s getting close to the Super Bowl. Fans are going to be close to their TVs. Everybody’s going to be jacked up on Sundrop. Super Bowl’s tomorrow. You could run that race on Saturday if Fox could do it.”
— Kenny Wallace, Former NASCAR Driver
He expressed doubt that a Wednesday evening race, especially right before one of America’s biggest sporting weekends, would draw the numbers NASCAR hopes for. Wallace acknowledged logistical complications, but his pointed comments fueled an ongoing conversation among fans and insiders about how best to navigate weather emergencies and maximize TV ratings.
NASCAR and Local Authorities Prioritize Safety
The snowstorm’s impact was severe and unprecedented for the area, which typically does not experience double-digit snowfall totals. The decision to postpone the event was not taken lightly:
“Out of an abundance of caution due to hazardous road conditions,”
— Attributed to NASCAR and City of Winston-Salem joint decision
Organizers collaborated closely with city officials to move the schedule, considering the well-being of all involved—drivers, teams, and attendees. Justin Swilling, leading the Cook Out Clash project, emphasized the centrality of fans in making the call.
“This event is for the fans, and the fans at The Madhouse are some of the most passionate fans in all of sports,”
— Justin Swilling, Cook Out Clash Project Lead
Swilling reiterated that ensuring the stadium could safely host fans was the utmost priority, particularly in light of challenging conditions:
“Moving the Cook Out Clash to Wednesday gives us the best opportunity to hold this event with fans at Bowman Gray Stadium while allowing the City of Winston-Salem to dedicate all of their resources to respond to the needs created by this historic weather event.”
— Justin Swilling, Cook Out Clash Project Lead
Relentless Cleanup Effort Underway
Preparing Bowman Gray Stadium required immense effort, with teams working around the clock since the snowstorm began. By Sunday, the track itself was nearly cleared, but ice and snow still posed concerns for garages and surrounding areas. Swilling underscored the extraordinary nature of the challenge:
“We’re not talking about just an inch of snow,”
— Justin Swilling, Cook Out Clash Project Lead
“We’re talking about eight to 12 inches of snow, depending on where you are in the region. That’s a lot of snow, and that’s something that most NASCAR events don’t have to deal with.”
— Justin Swilling, Cook Out Clash Project Lead
The urgency to return Bowman Gray, or “The Madhouse,” to racing condition was magnified by its legendary atmosphere, where both fan presence and competitor intensity set the tone for memorable events.
“Any time anybody’s come to ‘The Madhouse’ for an event, it’s just as much the fans as it is the competitors that makes it a show,”
— Justin Swilling, Cook Out Clash Project Lead
Revised Race Day Schedule and What Lies Ahead
Despite the logistical ordeal, organizers aim to deliver a full day of action. Wednesday’s proceedings feature Cup Series practice and qualifying at 1:30 p.m. ET, accessible via the FOX Sports App, followed by the Last Chance Qualifier at 4:30 p.m. ET on FOX, and the main Cook Out Clash beginning at 6 p.m. ET, broadcast across FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. With fans ready to return to the stands and teams eager for racing to begin, all eyes are on how the revised Kenny Wallace NASCAR schedule suggestion—and the much-discussed midweek slot—will shape both turnout and TV ratings as NASCAR’s year gets underway against a highly unusual winter backdrop.
