NASCAR is going back to its roots in 2025, and for many, it’s not just a venue change—it’s a homecoming. The Clash, the season-opening spectacle, is ditching the Hollywood shine of the LA Coliseum and heading back to the gritty, no-nonsense short track of Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
And if you don’t understand why this move is making old-school NASCAR fans emotional, Kyle Petty is here to set the record straight. Because Bowman Gray isn’t just another short track—it’s the beating heart of NASCAR’s earliest days, a place where legends were born and rivalries were forged in metal and sweat.
Kyle Petty’s Tour of Bowman Gray: A NASCAR History Lesson
Taking a walk through Bowman Gray is like flipping through NASCAR’s family album, and no one understands that better than Kyle Petty. He recently took fans on a tour of the historic quarter-mile track, and his words carried the weight of generations.
“This is where the 2025 Clash will be, bringing it back old school,” Petty said, his voice filled with nostalgia. “NASCAR has so much history here.”
Where the Wood Brothers’ Legacy Began
Before the Wood Brothers became NASCAR royalty, they were just a group of racers trying to make a name for themselves on bullrings like Bowman Gray.
“Glenn Wood raced here,” Petty reminded us. “This is where it all began for them.”
For those who don’t know, the Wood Brothers are one of the oldest and most respected teams in NASCAR history, with a legacy that stretches back to the days when dirt tracks and raw horsepower ruled the sport. Their connection to Bowman Gray is just one of many reasons this track is considered sacred ground.
The Myers Brothers: NASCAR’s Unsung Pioneers
Then there are the Myers brothers—Billy and Bobby—names that should ring a bell if you truly understand NASCAR’s foundation.
These men were instrumental in shaping the sport, competing in the rough-and-tumble era of the 1950s when racing was more about guts and determination than multimillion-dollar sponsorship deals.
Today, the Myers Brothers Award, given annually at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, honors those who have made major contributions to stock car racing—a legacy that started right here, at Bowman Gray.
Richard Childress: From Selling Peanuts to Owning a Dynasty
But perhaps the most jaw-dropping Bowman Gray success story belongs to Richard Childress, a man whose rise from peanut vendor to championship-winning team owner is the kind of legend that fuels NASCAR’s soul.
“Richard Childress sold peanuts and popcorn here,” Petty explained. “He went on to be Dale Earnhardt’s owner, and a champion owner at that in the Cup Series.”
Let that sink in.
One of the most iconic owners in NASCAR history, the man behind Dale Earnhardt’s six Cup Series championships, started out selling snacks in the grandstands at Bowman Gray.
Even though Dale Earnhardt Sr. wasn’t the first Earnhardt to win a race here, his partnership with Childress became the stuff of legend, producing a dynasty that dominated NASCAR from 1986 to 1994.
For Childress, Bowman Gray isn’t just another track—it’s where his journey began. And he couldn’t be more thrilled to see NASCAR return.
“I think the track looks outstanding,” Childress said, reflecting on the venue’s recent renovations. “You’re still going to have that flat quarter-mile racetrack where you’re going to have to beat, bang, and push. Somebody is going to leave there mad, for sure.”
Richard Petty’s 100th Win: The King’s Stamp on the Madhouse
And, of course, we can’t talk about Bowman Gray without mentioning The King.
Richard Petty—NASCAR’s most iconic figure—scored his 100th career win at this very track in 1970.
That’s right. The man who still holds the record for 200 career Cup Series wins etched another milestone into Bowman Gray’s storied asphalt.
If Bowman Gray wasn’t already sacred ground, that victory alone would have made it hallowed.
Bowman Gray: A Return to NASCAR’s Rawest Form
For too long, NASCAR has chased spectacle over substance, moving events to bigger venues, shinier stadiums, and markets far removed from its roots. But 2025 is different.
Bowman Gray isn’t just a track—it’s a reminder of where this sport came from. It’s short-track, hard-nosed, beat-and-bang racing, and it doesn’t need fireworks or Hollywood glitz to deliver a show.
This is racing the way it was meant to be.
And come February 2025, NASCAR will prove that sometimes, going home is the best move of all.
