Kyle Larson led Hendrick Motorsports to a front row lockout at the 2026 Cookout Clash after a snow-delayed qualifying session at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C. Larson secured pole position minutes ahead of his teammate William Byron, putting Hendrick Motorsports at the front for tonight’s NASCAR Cup Series event, a key moment for the team’s season opener.
Larson Narrowly Claims Pole Position
Larson kicked off his title defense with an impressive lap time of 14.137 seconds, narrowly outrunning fellow Hendrick teammate William Byron, who posted a 14.141. Both drivers ensured Hendrick Motorsports’ front row lockout for the start of the Cookout Clash, providing a strategic advantage at the tight, quarter-mile Bowman Gray track.
Behind the Hendrick duo, Ty Gibbs claimed third with a 14.146, just ahead of Chase Briscoe at 14.147. Christopher Bell rounded out the top five, clocking in at 14.150, while Denny Hamlin, the last of the Joe Gibbs Racing group, recorded a 14.151 to take the sixth spot.
The importance of starting position is emphasized by Bowman Gray’s racing history. Every winner during the next-gen era at this venue has started from the first two rows, making tonight’s grid positions especially crucial for Larson, Byron, and the other front-runners.
Key Developments in Practice Sessions
NASCAR Cup Series teams finally hit the icy Bowman Gray track after nearly ten inches of snowfall delayed the proceedings. With the schedule condensed, teams were divided into three practice groups ordered by their 2025 owner points totals. Each group received two eight-minute sessions to dial in their set-ups before qualifying.
Drivers with the fewest previous points faced the unique challenge of running on a “green” track, as low temperatures in the 40s kept grip levels low until the final group’s turn. Early on, aggressive driving set the tone for the weekend. Alex Bowman moved John Hunter Nemechek out of the way in the second group, while Shane Van Gisbergen bumped Denny Hamlin during the third session.
Several drivers and their crews quickly shook off offseason rust. For example, Chase Elliott was spotted driving with his gas cap undone. In terms of speed, Cole Custer topped Group 1 with a 14.437, Chris Buescher led Group 2 at 14.324, and Ross Chastain paced Group 3 with a 14.255. In 20-lap averages, William Byron had the strongest showing at 14.4 seconds, followed closely by Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, Bubba Wallace, and Chase Elliott.
Melting snow along the outside walls forced NASCAR to briefly halt practice and dry the track after the initial runs.
Tire Strategies in the Second Session
Tire usage became a critical storyline as teams weighed when to mount new “sticker” tires, with NASCAR providing only five sets per team for the day. Choices varied: Group 1 squads, such as Front Row Motorsports and Kaulig, opted for new rubber but saw limited gains, while those who had led their groups initially managed to improve with fresh tires.
Cole Custer improved to a 14.348, while Chris Buescher again led the second group with a 14.266. Notably, Kyle Busch set a 14.280 before brushing the wall on turn three. Christopher Bell posted the fastest lap for the third group with a 14.193, while Ryan Blaney moved to second with a 14.219.
After two rounds of practice, the top ten drivers were established as prime contenders for qualifying, setting the stage for an intense evening at Bowman Gray.
What This Means for the Cookout Clash
With Hendrick Motorsports capturing both front row spots, the team has a statistically significant edge at a track where early positioning is essential for victory. Competitors such as Ty Gibbs, Christopher Bell, and Denny Hamlin will need aggressive strategies to challenge Larson and Byron at the green flag. The atmosphere at the Cookout Clash remains charged as teams prepare for what is historically a track-position race, and all eyes will be on whether the Hendrick Motorsports front row lockout translates to an opening victory in the NASCAR Cup Series season.
