NASCAR Cup - Bowman Gray Stadium

Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina hosts the Cook Out Clash, a NASCAR Cup Series exhibition race. This quarter-mile oval brings Cup Series competition back to one of stock car racing's most historic venues. The 2026 Cook Out Clash features 150 laps of close-quarters racing on this flat, unique short track. Ryan Preece captured the victory in this exhibition event, which offers a significant purse but does not award championship points.

Circuit Details and Facilities

Bowman Gray Stadium is a paved asphalt oval measuring exactly 0.250 miles in length. The track stands out among NASCAR facilities with its completely flat surface, featuring 0 degrees of banking in both turns and straightaways. Workers last repaved the surface in 1966 with slight banking, but the track has since settled to an effectively flat configuration. The stadium accommodates 17,000 spectators.

Recent facility improvements include SAFER barriers installed around the track and a new lighting system added in January 2025. The Winston-Salem City Council approved funding for a new $1,000,000 digital LED video scoreboard in June 2025, with NASCAR committing to host top-tier series events at the venue for five years.

Race Format and Competition

The Cook Out Clash runs as an exhibition race over 150 laps, covering a total distance of 37.5 miles. The race draws a select field of NASCAR Cup Series drivers to compete at Bowman Gray Stadium. The 2026 NASCAR Cup Series season introduces a new 750-horsepower engine package for short tracks and road courses, an increase from the previous 670 horsepower specification. This change affects the racing dynamics at Bowman Gray Stadium.

Technical Updates for the 2026 Season

Chevrolet introduced a new body style for its ZL1 race car in November 2025 for use in the 2026 season. Several teams made manufacturer changes for the season, with Haas Factory Team and Rick Ware Racing switching from Ford to Chevrolet. These teams formed technical alliances with Hendrick Motorsports and Richard Childress Racing. Fifteen chartered Cup teams participated in a test session for the new engine package at North Wilkesboro Speedway in January 2026.

Historical Background

Bowman Gray Stadium has hosted NASCAR-sanctioned events since 1949. The venue served as a regular stop for points-paying NASCAR Cup Series races, then known as the Grand National Series, from 1958 through 1971. The stadium itself was constructed in 1937 as a Public Works Administration project during the Great Depression and officially opened in 1938. The facility earned the nickname "NASCAR's longest running weekly race track" for consistently hosting local racing series throughout its history.

The Clash exhibition event has been part of the NASCAR Cup Series calendar since 1979, moving between different venues over the years. The Cook Out Clash name reflects the title sponsorship of the popular regional restaurant chain. Kyle Larson enters the season as the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion from 2025.

The Madhouse Atmosphere

Bowman Gray Stadium carries the nickname "The Madhouse" among racing fans and competitors. The quarter-mile track produces intense racing action with frequent contact and close finishes. The short distance and flat banking create unique challenges for Cup Series drivers accustomed to larger facilities. The tight confines limit passing opportunities and require precise car control.

The return of NASCAR Cup Series competition to Bowman Gray Stadium highlights the series' focus on short-track racing and connection to stock car racing's roots. The 2026 Cook Out Clash continues this tradition with modern Cup Series cars competing on a track that has witnessed stock car racing for more than seven decades. The combination of historic venue, flat racing surface, and current NASCAR Cup Series technology creates a distinctive racing environment.