NASCAR has announced that the Busch Light Clash will be returning to Bowman Gray Stadium with Cook Out as the host for a second year.
The Cup Series opened the season after a long 54 year absence from the quarter mile track to boisterous and rousing crowds and cheers in February to kick off the racing season after spending three seasons in Los Angeles at the Memorial Coliseum. Chase Elliott started his season with a win at Bowman Gray before a sold out crowd.
The 2026 Clash will be February 1 to kick the season off in NASCAR’s back yard of Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The racing formats and lengths will be revealed at a later date.
NASCAR Regional’s managing director Joey Dennewitz spoke on the race saying, “we wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year. As NASCAR’s first weekly race track, 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.’ “
City of Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines added, “the City of Winston-Salem is deeply honored to have been chosen to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash. 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.”
Built in 1938, Bowman Gray was the recipient of a number of upgrades including lights and safer barriers.
At the Memorial Coliseum, NASCAR built a track on top of the football field. Bowman Gray is built around a football field.