NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray Stadium for The Clash was more than just a race—it was a journey back in time. After years of experimenting with new venues, The Madhouse delivered a short-track spectacle that thrilled fans.
🔥 Chase Elliott took the victory after a thrilling battle with Denny Hamlin, while crashes, drama, and pure grassroots racing reminded everyone why Bowman Gray has legendary status in NASCAR history.
But not everyone is convinced the sport should stay here. Enter Joey Logano, the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion, who is calling for a radical shift in how NASCAR approaches The Clash—and possibly all future exhibition races.
Logano’s Big Demand: Keep Moving, Keep Expanding
Logano didn’t hold back when asked about Bowman Gray’s future on the NASCAR schedule. While he acknowledged the success of the event, he urged NASCAR to continue exploring new venues instead of sticking to its roots.
💬 Logano on NASCAR’s evolution:
“I mean, there’s a little bit to be said about that, as well. But in the same breath, I would say it’s very important for us to move things around.”
“We’ve seen the success of our sport moving to new racetracks, and I’m a big fan of going to new places and bringing the racetrack to the fans that don’t typically get to see us.”
His argument makes sense—NASCAR has been expanding aggressively, bringing the sport to new markets:
🏁 The Clash at the LA Memorial Coliseum introduced NASCAR to a younger, urban audience.
🏁 The Chicago Street Race took the stock car spectacle into an unprecedented setting.
🏁 The 2025 Mexico City race marks NASCAR’s first-ever points race outside the USA.
Logano’s stance aligns perfectly with NASCAR’s vision of becoming a truly global brand.
Should NASCAR Stick to Its Roots or Chase New Horizons?
Logano’s call for expansion raises a key question:
Should NASCAR continue exploring new venues, or does it need to respect its heritage by keeping races at historic tracks like Bowman Gray?
📢 Arguments for Sticking to Tradition:
✅ Bowman Gray is a NASCAR landmark—the birthplace of grassroots stock car racing.
✅ The short-track action was phenomenal, proving why The Madhouse is so beloved.
✅ Fans love it—Bowman Gray sold out months in advance, proving demand is still sky-high.
📢 Arguments for Moving On:
✅ New markets mean new fans—expanding the sport keeps NASCAR relevant.
✅ Big cities like LA and Chicago offer massive exposure NASCAR can’t ignore.
✅ One-and-done events keep The Clash fresh—returning every year could lessen the novelty.
Logano’s Clash Performance: A Strong but Challenging Run
Logano didn’t just talk about NASCAR’s future—he fought hard at Bowman Gray despite early adversity.
🚗 Started 7th but suffered early contact, damaging his No. 22 Shell-Pennzoil Ford Mustang.
🚗 Struggled with restarts, yet clawed his way into the top five.
🚗 Finished 4th after battling through 19 chaotic laps to the checkered flag.
💬 Logano on his race:
“I got damage early in the race, like lap three. That puts you an adjustment behind.”
Even though he didn’t win, his resilience at The Madhouse proved why he’s a three-time Cup Series champion.
The Verdict: Is Logano Right?
🚀 Bowman Gray was a massive success—but NASCAR has to decide: is tradition or innovation the future?
🚀 Logano believes expansion is key—and with Mexico City, new street races, and possible international venues, NASCAR seems to agree.
🚀 Should The Clash stay at Bowman Gray, or should NASCAR keep moving to new locations?
🏁 What do YOU think? Should The Madhouse become The Clash’s permanent home, or should NASCAR continue experimenting with new venues?