The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray has barely begun, and chaos is already running wild! The 0.25-mile short track, nicknamed The Madhouse, is notorious for elbow-out, no-mercy racing, and Hendrick Motorsports’ William Byron just found out the hard way.
Known for his clean, calculated driving style, Byron entered the Clash prepared for a night of bumping and banging—but what he didn’t prepare for was getting tagged into the wall by none other than Todd Gilliland.
How It Unfolded: Gilliland, Elliott, and a Recipe for Disaster
Hendrick Motorsports came in hot for Bowman Gray’s long-awaited NASCAR return, with all four drivers boasting prior experience at the track. Byron himself raced at The Madhouse back in 2015, finishing 15th in a K&N Pro Series East event and collecting a Lap Leader award worth $300.
That was a far better memory than what unfolded midway through the 2025 Clash.
Chase Elliott, who started from pole, found himself stuck behind Todd Gilliland, whose No. 34 Front Row Motorsports Ford was running one lap down. With nowhere to go and no room to negotiate, Elliott gave Gilliland a light nudge, trying to muscle past in true Bowman Gray fashion.
The problem? Byron was right in the danger zone.
The contact sent Gilliland sideways—right into Byron’s path. The No. 24 Chevrolet had nowhere to go and took the brunt of the impact, slamming into the outer wall.
Gilliland’s Immediate Apology: “Did I Just Run Him Up Into the Wall?”
Even as the wreck unfolded, Gilliland immediately realized the mistake and owned up to it on the radio.
💬 Todd Gilliland over team radio:
“Did I just run him up into the wall?”
“Yes, I told you to leave him more room.”
“Sorry.”
While Byron’s night took a nosedive, the same couldn’t be said for his Hendrick teammates.
🔹 Chase Elliott started from pole and was in prime position to contend for the win.
🔹 Kyle Larson stormed through the Last Chance Qualifier, taking victory in the 75-lap shootout before the main event.
Byron’s Frustration: “My Steering Was Super Stiff”
Journalist Matt Weaver updated on X, quoting Byron’s frustrated reaction:
🚨 “William Byron around; contact with Todd Gilliland in front of Elliott. ‘My steering was super stiff to that point.’”
Clearly, the night was already proving difficult for Byron before the wreck, and now his hopes of a Madhouse miracle were completely shattered.
What’s Next? Can Hendrick Still Dominate?
With Byron’s race derailed, all eyes now turn to Chase Elliott and Kyle Larson. Can one of them bring home the trophy for Hendrick Motorsports? Or will The Madhouse claim more victims before the night is over?
One thing is certain—Bowman Gray isn’t done with the drama just yet.