NASCAR
Cook Out Clash to kick off 2026 NASCAR season from Bowman Gray Stadium
WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. – NASCAR has announced that the Cook Out Clash will get a second showing at Bowman Gray Stadium as the season-opening exhibition race for 2026. This decision comes after the widely-touted success of 2025’s sold-out race. The non-points spectacle will be the first NASCAR action of 2026, taking place at ‘The Madhouse’ on Saturday, Jan. 31 and Sunday, Feb. 1. The 2026 Cook Out Clash will be broadcast by FOX Sports.
“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” said Joey Dennewitz, Managing Director, NASCAR Regional. “As NASCAR’s first weekly racetrack, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home to grassroots racing. Thanks to the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for their continued partnership at ‘The Madhouse.’”
“The City of Winston Salem is deeply honored to have been chosen to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash,” said Mayor Allen Joines. “The 2025 race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved. We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful.”
“We’re proud to support the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium in our backyard in Winston-Salem,” said Jeremy and Morris Reaves, CEO and Founder of Cook Out. “We look forward to bringing our NASCAR racing family together in our community once again with the Cook Out Clash. Last year was so amazing and we can’t wait to do it again!”
Cook Out has a strong presence in NASCAR as the entitlement partner for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway, and the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway. They are also NASCAR’s Official Quick Service Restaurant. It is also a proud sponsor of the NASCAR Youth Series and is an active sponsor across the grassroots level.
“Cook Out is an amazing partner that continues to have a positive impact across NASCAR,” said Justin Swilling, Cook Out Clash Project Lead. “Their support continues to take our events to the next level. We look forward to working together to make this year’s Cook Out Clash another memorable sold-out event.”
Fan favorite driver Chase Elliott kickstarted his 2025 campaign with a dominant win at the Cook Out Clash. This marked the first NASCAR National Series event in Winston-Salem since 1971. Elliott took home the coveted Bobby Allison Memorial trophy, named in honor of the racing legend who won the last Cup race at Bowman Gray Stadium. Bowman Gray Stadium has hosted continuous racing action under NASCAR sanction since 1949. It was one of the first tracks in the sport’s infancy. Elliott and the Cup field will be back in February to add onto the prestige of NASCAR’s oldest operating racetrack.
Further details will soon be available on tickets for the 2026 Clash. You can join the wait list now on NASCARClash.com. For more information on weekly racing at Bowman Gray Stadium, go to bowmangrayracing.com.
Written by Peter Stratta
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Photo Credit to Sean Gardner/Getty Images
