Winter Storm Fern wreaks havoc on NASCAR’s pre-season Clash, casting a chilling shadow over Bowman Gray Stadium as the iconic short track gears up for the unofficial kickoff of the 2026 racing season. Just days ahead of the much-anticipated event, Winston-Salem, North Carolina, is grappling with a winter wonderland that has left the venue completely blanketed in snow.
Despite the valiant efforts of plow crews working tirelessly to clear the roads surrounding Bowman Gray, the stubborn snow remains largely intact, with temperatures stubbornly hovering around the freezing mark. In a brief reprieve, AccuWeather reports that temperatures edged above freezing today, hitting a high of 37 degrees Fahrenheit, but the optimism may be short-lived as another cold front looms just around the corner.
While the track and garage area are now free of snow, the infield is still shrouded in a thin white layer, raising concerns about race day conditions. The forecast for the weekend paints a grim picture: temperatures are set to plunge to a bone-chilling high of just 21 degrees and a low of 11 degrees on Saturday, followed by a frigid high of 27 and a low of 15 on Sunday. To make matters worse, snow flurries could return during the race weekend as yet another weather system is expected to roll in.
Mike Joy, the renowned play-by-play announcer for NASCAR on FOX, shared a sobering update on the situation at noon: “Bowman-Gray at noon: track and pits are plowed and drying. Main St. has just one lane scraped each way. Other roads and side streets are packed snow. Most lots have snow piled high, limiting parking. If coming, dress for extreme cold. Plan to park remotely and shuttle to track.”
As TV crews set up equipment at the track, NASCAR officials are in ongoing discussions about potential schedule adjustments. Ben Kennedy, NASCAR’s Executive Vice President and Chief Venue & Racing Innovation Officer, provided insight into the situation: “Snow has been cleared from the track and garage areas at Bowman Gray. Hoping for a warm(er) day or two in Winston-Salem to accelerate clean up. We’re continuing to monitor more weather this weekend and will communicate schedule changes, if any.”
This year’s Clash marks the second time this thrilling race has taken place at Bowman Gray Stadium. Last year, the event was relocated from the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum due to severe rainfall and flooding, forcing NASCAR to run the show a day early. As the countdown to the Clash continues, the racing world holds its breath, hoping for a miracle as winter’s grip threatens to derail one of the sport’s most exciting events. Will the snow relent, or will this winter storm send NASCAR’s plans crashing down? Stay tuned as developments unfold!
