Cook Out Clash Finally Runs!

After numerous delays for weather, the Cook Out Clash is finally underway with a practice session before the 38 drivers make a group qualifying run after the heat races were cancelled after the weather delays. The final three spots will be determined by the Last Chance Qualifier – LCQ race – with the final spot reserved for the driver with the highest standings from last year not already in the race.

The LCQ is a 75 lap race green laps only counting event.

After group qualifying reigning Cup Series champion Kyle Larson will sit on the pole with Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron alongside.

The top 20 drivers moving on to the 200 lap main event are:
Kyle Larson
William Byron
Ty Gibbs
Chase Briscoe
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Bubba Wallace
Chris Buescher
Ross Chastain
Tyler Reddick
Chase Elliott
Carson Hocevar
Kyle Busch
Joey Logano
Austin Dillon
Ryan Blaney
Shane van Gisbergen
Ryan Preece
Connor Zilisch
Daniel Suarez

Last Chance Qualifier Lineup:
Josh Berry
Michael McDowell
Austin Cindric
Corey LaJoie (for Brad Keselowski)
Alex Bowman
Riley Herbst
Cody Ware
AJ Allmendinger
Cole Custer
John Hunter Nemechek
Todd Gilliland
Ty Dillon
Noah Gragson
Ricky Stenhouse Jr
Zane Smith
Erik Jones
Chad Finchum
Burt Myers

Alex Bowman is locked in to the race as the highest ranking points driver.  He is in the race but has chosen to start from the back of the field.

The LCQ begins with Josh Berry sitting on the pole but Michael McDowell jumps out in front for the lead.

Lap six, Cody Ware and Riley Herbst get tangled up and bring out the caution flag.

Michael McDowell has been charged with a start violation for jumping the start of the race and will have to move to the back of the field.

Josh Berry brings the field down for the green flag restart with AJ Allmendinger alongside on lap six.  AJ Allmendinger gets out in front on the outside lane as the field stacks up and tags bumpers.

Lap 17, Josh Berry passes AJ Allmendinger for the lead.  Only the top two spots move on to the feature racing event.

Lap 31, Josh Berry has begun lapping cars with 14 drivers on the lead lap.

Lap 36, Michael McDowell has worked his way into the top 10 after having to restart the race from the back of the field with a start violation.

Lap 40, Alex Bowman is now a lap down, but has secured a spot in the main event under point standings.

Lap 49, Todd Gilliland is slowed on the track but makes it to pit road and the track stays green.

Lap 55, leader Josh Berry has a second and a half lead on AJ Allmendinger but Corey LaJoie is on his bumper.

Lap 60, Alex Bowman is off the track.

Lap 61, AJ Allmendinger, Corey LaJoie, and Austin Cindric are in a battle for second.

Corey LaJoie takes second with Austin Cindric on his bumper.

With 10 laps to go, Austin Cindric moves into second but Austin Cindric moves up to battle side by side.

There are just 10 cars on the lead lap.

Five to go, Austin Cindric moves behind Corey LaJoie and moves up on the inside to go wheel to wheel with Corey LaJoie.

Josh Berry takes the white flag.

Austin Cindric wins the battle to take second and race his way into the feature race with Josh Berry.

The lineup for the 200 lap Cook Out Clash:
Kyle Larson
William Byron
Ty Gibbs
Chase Briscoe
Christopher Bell
Denny Hamlin
Bubba Wallace
Chris Buescher
Ross Chastain
Tyler Reddick
Chase Elliott
Carson Hocevar
Kyle Busch
Joey Logano
Austin Dillon
Ryan Blaney
Shane van Gisbergen
Ryan Preece
Connor Zilisch
Daniel Suarez
Josh Berry
Austin Cindric
Alex Bowman

There has been a different winner for the Clash race over the past eight years.

Denny Hamlin reinjured his shoulder in the off-season and will be racing with those injuries.

The temperatures are in the 30’s but there is no sign of the near foot of snow that fell last weekend delaying the start of the race.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for 200 laps around the quarter-mile track of Bowman Gray Stadium for the 2026 Cook Out Clash.  Bowman Gray surrounds a football field and has been a part of NASCAR since 1949.

There is a break at the halfway point of the race, what Christopher Bell called a hot dog stop.

And this year the drivers get 80 more horsepower in their cars!

Patience and tire management are the word of the night among the drivers.

Kyle Larson gets out in front for the lead.

Lap seven, the top five are Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin.

Only green flag laps will count and the winner must finish the race under a green flag.

Lap 13, Kyle Larson has pulled out the a half second lead on teammate William Byron.

Lap 18, the top five are Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin.

His 19 laps led, Kyle Larson has led more laps than all of his previous Clash appearances.

Lap 23, Kyle Larson has increased his lead on William Byron to nearly a second.

Lap 37, Kyle Larson has led every lap so far.

The first caution flag of the race comes out on lap 41 for debris on the track.  Leader Kyle Larson was approaching the back of the field when the caution came out.

The top five of Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin has not changed since the start of the race.

There are some weepers on the track leaking water on to the racing surface.

After the choose, Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart with William Byron alongside.  Larson holds on to the lead.

The top five are Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, and Christopher Bell.

Lap 46, Denny Hamlin passes Christopher Bell for fifth.

Lap 48, Chase Briscoe passes William Byron for second.

The caution flag comes out on lap 53 when Bubba Wallace was spun out by Ryan Blaney.

Austin Dillon and Bubba Wallace made pit stops to change flat tires – only flat tires are allowed until the break.

Kyle Larson brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 54 with Chase Briscoe alongside.  Kyle Larson and Chase Briscoe battle for the lead with drivers three wide back in the field. 

Lap 58, Kyle Larson finally takes the lead.  William Byron and Chase Briscoe battle for second.

Lap 61, the top five are Kyle Larson, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, and Denny Hamlin.

Lap 68, William Byron is on leader Kyle Larson’s bumper looking to take the lead.

Lap 71, William Byron finally takes the lead form Kyle Larson with Chase Briscoe on his bumper putting Kyle Larson back in third.

Ty Gibbs passes Kyle Larson fir third.

The caution flag comes out on lap 78 when Austin Cindric spins out after contact from Shane van Gisbergen.

Lap 77, leader William Byron has begun lapping the back of the field.

Former teammates Daniel Suarez and Shane van Gisbergen have been beating and banging.  SVG reports that Suarez must he happy he isn’t a teammate any more and can start hitting him.ron

William Byron brings the field down for the green flag restart with Chase Briscoe along s de on lap 77.  After a short battle with Briscoe, Byron holds on to the lead.

The top five are William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Carson Hocevar, and Kyle Larson.

Lap 81, Denny Hamlin and Ryan Blaney pass Kyle Larson.

Lap 83, Kyle Larson falls to eighth after leading over half of the race.

Lap 85, Chase Briscoe passes William Byron for the lead.

Lap 88, the top five are Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Carson Hocevar, William Byron, and Denny Hamlin.

Lap 96, Ty Gibbs gives teammate Chase Briscoe a bump to take the lead five laps from the break.

Lap 97, Ty Gibbs leads the race with Chase Briscoe in second; William Byron, Ryan Blaney, and Carson Hocevar round out the top five.

Lap 100, the caution comes out for the eight minute break.  The crews can work on the cars and make adjustments to the cars including changing tires.

NASCAR officials are reporting that they are starting to lose the track with precipitation in the area.  It is sleeting!  Treaded tires are available for use if NASCAR decides to use them.

The drivers are returning to the pits to wait out the weather.  Reports are it is a very narrow band and will stop soon.  The drivers are out of the cars and the crews are covering the cars.

Track drying equipment is headed for the track to begin the drying process.

NASCAR officials have ordered the crews to make the switch to the wet weather treaded tires.  The cars have defoggers but no windshield wipers or rear visibility lights.

FOX broadcaster Kevin Harvick is excited to see how the cars handle in the weather; saying that it is perfect conditions for the tires.

While it is not the coldest race in NASCAR history, tonight’s Clash is on the list.

The cars are returning to the track with wet weather tires!

Chase Briscoe’s crew chief James Small reports that the biggest issue for the drivers is the glare from the wet track.

Reports from several of the drivers are “let’s go for it” and race the cars.

Drivers are returning to pit road so that the track drying trucks can clean up the standing water on the track.

Once again the drivers return to the track now that the crews have blown away the excess water.

“Rain racing is all about being creative,” said Kevin Harvick

Ty Gibbs brings the field down for the green flag restart with Chase Briscoe alongside on lap 103.   Chase Briscoe moves up to the outside lane and passes Ty Gibbs for the lead.

Denny Hamlin brings out the caution flag with a spin that collected the Kyles – Larson and Busch.

Chase Briscoe brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ty Gibbs alongside on the inside on lap 102.  Briscoe holds on to the lead.

The top five are Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, William Byron, Carson Hocevar, and Connor Zilisch.

Drivers are getting three wide battling for position.

Just 95 green flag laps remain in the race.

Connor Zilisch has moved up to fifth place.

Lap 110, William Byron is on Ty Gibbs’ bumper looking to take second place.

Lap 114, drivers have gotten single file looking for the best grip on the track.

Bubba Wallace gets into the wall but the track stays green.

Kyle Larson has fallen to last place.

The caution flag comes out on lap 120 when Josh Berry gets into the wall…twice… and has damage to his car.

Kyle Busch has taken his car to pit road for repairs; but is expected to return.  Josh Berry and Ross Chastain were also on pit road for repairs.  All cars are back on the track.

Chase Briscoe brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 120 with William Byron alongside.   Chase Briscoe holds on to the lead.

Lap 122, the caution flag comes out for a pile up.  Austin Cindric and Bubba Wallace go to the pits for repairs.

Chase Briscoe brings the field down for the green flag restart with Carson Hocevar alongside on lap 122.  Carson Hocevar passes Chase Briscoe for the lead.

The top five are Carson Hocevar, Chase Briscoe, Ty Gibbs, Chase Elliott, and William Byron.

Ty Gibbs spins out and collects Chase Elliott but the track stays green.

Lap 133, Carson Hocevar leads the race with Chase Briscoe on his bumper; Daniel Suarez, Ty Gibbs, and Shane van Gisbergen round out the top five.

Leaders are approaching the back of the field.

Ryan Blaney spins out but the track stays green.

Drivers are getting three wide across the track.

Lap 139, Carson Hocevar holds on to the lead as the caution flag comes out for a wreck with Ryan Blaney and Denny Hamlin.

Carson Hocevar brings the field down for the green flag restart with Chase Briscoe alongside on lap 139.  After a short battle Hocevar holds on to the lead.  Austin Dillon spins out and brings out the caution flag.

Carson Hocevar brings the field down for the green flag restart on lap 140 with Shane van Gisbergen alongside.  Van Gisbergen takes the lead easily with Carson Hocevar in second.  Ty Gibbs and Ryan Preece battle for third with Chase Briscoe in fifth.

Chase Elliott spins out to bring out the caution flag on lap 143.

Some of the crew chiefs are telling their drivers to start saving fuel.

Shane van Gisbergen brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ryan Preece alongside on lap 143.  Ryan Preece gets out in front but Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, and Joey Logano get into each other to bring out the caution flag for the eleventh time.

Ryan Preece brings the field down for the green flag restart with Shane van Gisbergen alongside on lap 144.  Preece and van Gisbergen battle for the lead with SVG taking the spot. 

Ty Gibbs, Kyle Busch, Chris Buescher, and Christopher Bell were all involved in a wreck to bring out the 12^th caution flag of the night.

Shane van Gisbergen brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ryan Preece alongside on lap 145.  Van Gisbergen takes the lead with Ryan Preece in second; Chase Briscoe, Connor Zilisch, and Daniel Suarez round out the top five.

Kyle Larson got off the pace but keeps the car moving.

The caution flag comes out on lap 153 when Kyle Larson is stopped on the track.  Larson reports that he is out of fuel!

Shane van Gisbergen brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ryan Preece on the outside lane on lap 153.  Van Gisbergen gets out in front to take the lead over Preece.

Shane van Gisbergen, Ryan Preece, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, and Daniel Suarez round out the top five.

Lap 156, Ryan Preece takes the lead.

Daniel Suarez passes William Byron for fourth.

Forty green flag laps to go!  Ryan Preece leads the field with Shane van Gisbergen in second; Chase Briscoe, Daniel Suarez, and William Byron round out the top five.

The caution flag comes out for Chase Elliott who also ran out of fuel.

Ryan Preece brings the field down for the green flag restart with Shane van Gisbergen alongside on lap 165.  Preece jumps out in front for the lead.  Shane van Gisbergen spins out; Connor Zilisch and Bubba Wallace were also involved to bring out the caution flag.

The weepers have stopped due to temps being below freezing.

NASCAR is bringing the drivers down pit road to fuel the cars after several drivers have run out of fuel.

The drivers are still running on the wet weather tires but there are some dry spots on the track that will be abrasive to the tires.

Carson Hocevar tried to change tires to the slicks during the fuel only stop and has to restart the race from the back of the field.

Ryan Preece brings the field down for the green flag restart with Chase Briscoe alongside with 35 green flag laps remaining in the race.  Preece jumps out in front for the lead.

The top five are Ryan Preece, Chase Briscoe, Daniel Suarez, William Byron, and Ryan Blaney.

Lap 170, Daniel Suarez passes Chase Briscoe for second.

Lap 173, William Byron moves up to second.

Lap 175, the top five are Ryan Preece, William Byron, Chase Briscoe, Ryan Blaney, and Daniel Suarez.

Lap 179, Ryan Blaney passes Chase Briscoe for third.

The caution flag comes out on lap 180 when Carson Hocevar spins out after contact from Bubba Wallace.

Ryan Preece brings the field down for the green flag restart with William Byron alongside with 20 green flag laps to go.  Preece jumps out in front for the lead with Ryan Blaney taking second.

The caution flag comes out when Kyle Busch gets into the wall and Kyle Larson hits Busch in a four wide battle with 19 laps to go.  So far there have been 17 caution flags – a Clash record.

Ryan Preece brings the field down for the green flag restart with Ryan Blaney alongside with 19 laps to go.  Preece jumps out in front.  William Byron and Ryan Blaney battle for second.  Drivers are getting three wide back in the field.

With 17 laps to go; the top five are Ryan Preece, William Byron, Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, and Daniel Suarez.

Ten to go, Ryan Preece has a big lead on William Byron; Ryan Blaney, Chase Briscoe, and Daniel Suarez round out the top five.

Three to go, Ryan Preece continues to lead the race.

Ryan Preece takes the white flag.

Ryan Preece wins the race.  For the first time since 1999, Jack Roush is a race winner. 

The unofficial results of the Cook Out Clash:
Ryan Preece
William Byron
Ryan Blaney
Daniel Suarez
Denny Hamlin
Chase Briscoe
Austin Dillon
Chris Buescher
Ross Chastain
Alex Bowman
Joey Logano
Josh Berry
Christopher Bell
Ty Gibbs
Carson Hocevar
Kyle Larson
Chase Elliott
Connor Zilisch
Kyle Busch
Shane van Gisbergen
Austin Cindric
Tyler Reddick
Bubba Wallace