Ryan Preece claimed victory in the CookOut Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Wednesday night, navigating adverse weather conditions that brought sleet and rain. This marks Preece’s first Cup Series win, but as an exhibition race, it does not contribute points toward the NASCAR Cup Series championship.
The Road to a Memorable Victory
Preece’s performance places him among notable drivers such as Jeff Gordon and Denny Hamlin, who each notched their first Cup Series win in the Clash event during its Daytona years. The win was deeply emotional for Preece, who displayed visible feelings while in victory lane after achieving his milestone triumph. Reflecting on his journey, Preece confessed to Fox Sports after the race:
“Two years ago, I didn’t think I had a job,”
Ryan Preece, Driver
“I thought I was going back to Connecticut. I’m super super super emotional.”
Ryan Preece, Driver
Weather Creates Havoc on the Track
The race was heavily impacted by the weather, with a mixture of rain and sleet beginning at the halfway mark. As conditions deteriorated, NASCAR mandated teams to switch to wet-weather tires before resuming competition. The restart saw Denny Hamlin lose control, resulting in a collision that involved pole-sitter Kyle Larson and Kyle Busch, significantly affecting the race dynamics.
The treacherous track conditions triggered a record number of caution flags, leading to a stop-and-start rhythm. Some drivers expended their fuel reserves while circulating under caution for extended periods. Broadcast adjustments were also necessary, as the race telecast started on FOX network at 6:00 p.m. Eastern but was moved to FS2 due to the delays, ultimately stretching the event close to four hours and finishing just before 10:00 p.m. Eastern.
Race Conditions Among the Coldest on Record
Wednesday’s contest at Bowman Gray will be remembered not only for its drama but also for the extreme cold, as temperatures hovered near freezing when the precipitation began. Such frigid conditions are rare for NASCAR events and contributed significantly to the evening’s unpredictability and series of incidents.
Final Standings and Noteworthy Performances
Preece was joined atop the leaderboard by several strong competitors. William Byron secured second place, followed by Ryan Blaney in third, Daniel Suarez in fourth, and Denny Hamlin rounding out the top five. Denny Hamlin’s fifth-place finish came at the end of a difficult offseason for him; his parents’ house fire led to the passing of his father and his mother sustaining injuries. At a pre-race press conference, Hamlin mentioned his mother’s improving health in Florida and shared that he suffered a fall in the damaged house, reinjuring a previously repaired torn labrum. Despite these challenges, Hamlin committed to completing the season, planning another surgery in the 2026 offseason.
Looking Ahead: Next Steps for NASCAR Cup Series
The NASCAR Cup Series teams shift focus to the Daytona 500, with practice and qualifying slated for next Wednesday night. Thursday’s Duel races will further define the starting grid, leading into the 60th running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15th at 2:30 p.m. Eastern, airing live on FOX. The intense and unpredictable CookOut Clash, featuring Ryan Preece’s breakthrough win, sets a dramatic tone for the upcoming season’s major events.
