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Chase Elliott Dominates NASCAR’s Return to Bowman Gray—And He Wants More

Publisher by Publisher
February 4, 2025
in Motorsports
Reading Time: 5 mins read
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Chase Elliott Dominates NASCAR’s Return to Bowman Gray—And He Wants More

Feb 2, 2025; WInston-Salem, North Carolina, USA; NASCAR Cup Series driver Chase Elliot (9) celebrates after winning the Clash at Bowman Gray at Bowman Gray Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-Imagn Images

For the first time in 54 years, NASCAR roared back into Bowman Gray Stadium—and it did not disappoint. Chase Elliott, the 2020 Cup Series champion, put on a masterclass performance, leading 171 of 200 laps to win the Cook Out Clash, but his biggest takeaway wasn’t just the trophy—it was the raw energy of the event.

After a three-year experimental stint at the Los Angeles Coliseum, NASCAR’s season-opening Clash exhibition race returned to its grassroots short-track roots—and fans, as well as drivers, could feel the difference.

“A win for the industry,” Elliott declared.


Bowman Gray vs. The Coliseum—Why Elliott Thinks NASCAR Got It Right

While Daytona International Speedway long held the honor of hosting the Clash as part of Speedweeks, NASCAR shook things up in 2022, moving the event to the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in a bid to expand its audience.

But after three years in L.A., NASCAR made another bold move—bringing the Clash to Bowman Gray Stadium, a 0.25-mile bullring steeped in stock car history.

Elliott, appearing on Kevin Harvick’s Happy Hour, gave his honest take:

“Anytime you win, you’re going to have a biased opinion of how things went. If I take that out of the equation…I thought the environment felt really good, the pre-race atmosphere I thought was incredible.”

And while both venues were short tracks, Elliott admitted that Bowman Gray simply “felt better” than the Coliseum’s ultra-tight layout.

“I think the Coliseum is a little small after experiencing that last night. And I think Bowman Gray is about as small as I would want to go.”

Translation? The Madhouse delivered.


Elliott’s Path to Victory—A Short-Track Showdown for the Ages

The 200-lap feature race had everything NASCAR fans crave—intensity, strategy, and a relentless battle to the checkered flag.

🏆 Elliott led the first 96 laps before Denny Hamlin took the lead.
🔄 Elliott fought back, reclaiming P1 on Lap 126.
🚀 Ryan Blaney charged from 23rd to 2nd, putting on a breathtaking display of driving skill.

By the time the checkered flag waved, Bowman Gray’s raucous crowd gave Elliott the reception of a short-track hero—and the Hendrick Motorsports driver wants more.


A Historic Venue Gets a Facelift—And NASCAR’s Approval

NASCAR officials didn’t just dust off Bowman Gray and send the Cup Series out on an old surface. The stadium received a fresh coat of paint, Musco lighting to add to the drama, and the installation of SAFER barriers for enhanced safety.

These updates ensured that the track was not just a nostalgic callback, but a venue capable of hosting modern-day NASCAR action—and based on Elliott’s reaction, it worked.


Bowman Gray vs. LA Coliseum—A New Era for NASCAR’s Clash?

Fans and drivers alike immediately noticed a difference between the two venues.

🌆 The Coliseum: A tight, quarter-mile track inside a football stadium, giving NASCAR a unique setting but often leading to single-file racing and a lack of passing opportunities.

🏁 Bowman Gray: More racing room, a tighter connection to NASCAR’s heritage, and a crowd that was more in tune with the sport.

Elliott summed it up best:

“A win for the industry.”

With fan enthusiasm through the roof and driver approval strong, NASCAR now faces a big question:

🔥 Does Bowman Gray become the permanent home of the Clash?


Bowman Gray’s Influence—Even Beyond NASCAR?

Elliott’s experience at Bowman Gray didn’t just reinforce his love for short-track stock car racing—it also made him rethink a rival motorsport series.

What exactly did Elliott mean? Did the energy of Bowman Gray spark thoughts about dirt racing, grassroots oval racing, or even a return to NASCAR’s roots in a broader sense?

One thing’s for sure: Chase Elliott doesn’t just want Bowman Gray to stay—he thinks it could redefine NASCAR’s connection with its hardcore fan base.

With the Clash’s future now up for debate, Elliott’s dominant victory and post-race endorsement may just tip the scales toward making the Madhouse NASCAR’s official Clash home for years to come.

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