After three years of hosting the Cook Out Clash in the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, NASCAR made a bold move in 2025—taking its season-opening exhibition race to one of the most infamous short tracks in America: Bowman Gray Stadium.
A quarter-mile bullring wrapped around Winston-Salem State University’s football field, Bowman Gray has been home to stock car racing since 1937 and was a Cup Series staple from 1958 to 1971. But it’s more than just a historic venue—it’s “The Madhouse”, a track where tempers flare, fenders bend, and chaos reigns.
And on Sunday night, NASCAR got exactly what it bargained for.
From Hollywood Glitz to Blue-Collar Grit
The Bowman Gray Clash was a stark departure from its Los Angeles predecessor. While the Coliseum races were glitzy, star-studded affairs that drew A-list celebrities, this event leaned into its hard-nosed, working-class roots.
Instead of rap superstars and Hollywood elites, the pre-race ceremonies featured Winston-Salem State’s marching band, a nod to the venue’s college football setting. The track’s tight 17,000-seat grandstands paled in comparison to the Coliseum’s 77,500, but the energy was undeniable—standing room only, packed with die-hard fans, and a rowdy atmosphere straight out of a wrestling event.
“You have the fans heckling you, saying whatever they want, saying you’re ‘number one’ in two different ways,” said reigning Cup Series champion Joey Logano, referencing the one-finger salutes from the passionate crowd.
“That’s what Bowman Gray was built off of.”
And the locals weren’t shy about picking sides. Ricky Stenhouse Jr. learned that the hard way after a run-in with Bowman Gray legend Burt Myers in the Last Chance Qualifier. After contact between the two knocked Myers out of contention, Stenhouse was met with a grandstand full of middle fingers.
Myers later visited Stenhouse’s hauler—but Stenhouse was already gone.
“Where you at, @StenhouseJr?” a fan posted, capturing the mood with a photo of furious spectators.
Chase Elliott’s Masterclass – And A Possible Bowman Gray Return?
When the dust settled, Chase Elliott dominated the feature event, leading 171 of 200 laps in a race that rewarded patience, tire management, and survival instincts.
For Elliott, Bowman Gray lived up to the hype, and he’s already open to bringing the Clash back in 2026.
“I don’t have any issue with coming back,” Elliott said.
“It seemed like a good show. The environment, the energy, the packed stands—it just felt right. If we’re gonna race on a football field, this is as good a place as any.”
NASCAR hasn’t committed to making Bowman Gray the permanent home of the Clash, but early indications suggest it could return. That said, the sport is still exploring a rotating venue model, possibly bringing the Clash to other historic grassroots tracks or even international locations.
Logano is torn.
“They pack this place out every weekend without us,” he noted.
“It’s a special feel—standing room only, fans going crazy. But I also think it’s important to move things around. We’ve seen success with new venues. Going to new tracks brings the sport to fans who don’t normally get to see it.”
Either way, Bowman Gray made its case—and then some.
Short Track Redemption? Next Gen Cars Finally Deliver
Short tracks have been a sore spot in NASCAR since the Next Gen car debuted in 2022. Tracks like Bristol and Martinsville, once the most anticipated dates on the calendar, have struggled to produce thrilling racing, despite NASCAR tweaking the aero package to improve action.
So, would Bowman Gray suffer the same fate?
Not quite.
Elliott may have dominated, but tire wear and close-quarters racing kept things unpredictable. Unlike recent short-track struggles, drivers actually had to manage their equipment, leading to strategy plays that made the race more engaging.
Ryan Blaney, who started dead last (23rd) but finished second, said the racing felt refreshing—even if he couldn’t quite chase down Elliott for the win.
“Honestly, I felt like our cars were pretty evenly matched,” Blaney admitted.
“When I started to go, I didn’t have enough right rear. I’m like, ‘Oh, sh*t, I’m not gonna make this pass.’ I wasn’t about to bulldoze him and get chased out of here with pitchforks.”
Blaney’s words sum up the fine line drivers had to walk at Bowman Gray—push too hard, and you’re the villain; play it smart, and you live to fight another day.
What’s Next for NASCAR’s Season-Opening Clash?
With the 2025 Clash in the books, the question now is: Where does NASCAR take it next?
- Stay at Bowman Gray? The race was a massive success, and fans loved the throwback short-track energy.
- Rotate to other short tracks? A return to venues like North Wilkesboro or Nashville Fairgrounds would tap into similar grassroots nostalgia.
- Go global? NASCAR has floated the idea of bringing the Clash overseas, following F1’s global expansion model.
For now, one thing is certain: NASCAR reconnected with its roots at Bowman Gray, and in a sport built on grit, passion, and fender-banging chaos, that’s exactly what the Clash needed.
2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray – Final Results
- Chase Elliott
- Ryan Blaney
- Joey Logano
- Denny Hamlin
- William Byron
- Kyle Larson
- Christopher Bell
- Brad Keselowski
- Ross Chastain
- Tyler Reddick