The 2025 NASCAR season is officially here. NASCAR’s Cup stars will look to light things up at “the Madhouse” better known as Bowman Gray Stadium. Sure the Cup series hasn’t raced at the historic venue since 1971, but that changes this year. In the season-opening exhibition race, the Clash moves from the famed Los Angeles Coliseum to Bowman Gray for the first time. There are no points on the line. This all-out, go-for-the-win race should be exciting, especially within the small confines of Bowman Gray.
Sunday night. Short track.
The next great chapter is about to be written for The Madhouse. #CookOutClash pic.twitter.com/Kdq0ZkcFF5
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 29, 2025
NASCAR Cup Series Cook-Out Clash at Bowman Gray Preview
Before Sunday night’s main event, which will feature 23 cars. To find out who those 23 drivers will be, 39 cars will enter the Clash looking to make the Main Event. Those 39 cars have been broken up into three groups for practice sessions on Saturday afternoon. The speeds in practice will determine the starting order for the four heat races.
The top five finishers in each heat will automatically advance to Sunday night’s 200-lap feature. Those who don’t make it out of the heats will still have one final chance to reach the big show, as they will race in a 75-lap last-chance qualifier. The top two cars in that race will move to the Cook Out Clash. Much like how the heat races were run the past several seasons out in Los Angeles the format is pretty simple. It will make things interesting with so much talent amongst the 39 cars on the entry list.
The Track- Bowman Gray Stadium
The history of this venue is limitless, and to see the Cup Series return after 50 years. Ironically it’s not just a race track. It’s also a football stadium. That’s right it’s the home field for the Winston-Salem State Rams. There certainly won’t be any ball being played this weekend. It has the nickname “The Madhouse” for a reason. Tempers can flare at any time, and that should be the expectation, even with the best NASCAR racers in the world taking to the 0.250-mile oval.
Coming together nicely, @BGSRacing 😏 pic.twitter.com/9bK4ktLfym
— Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (@nascarclash) January 29, 2025
READ MORE: NASCAR’s Original Coliseum: Bowman Gray Stadium
Drivers to Watch and a Prediction
Looking at the track, it’s a short track, and that brings plenty of drivers to mind. Then again, a lot of the top guys in the Cup Series haven’t raced at the track. Some big names have some experience at Bowman Gray. Names like Chase Elliott, Bubba Wallace, Daniel Suarez, and Kyle Larson, put down laps at the famed track during their younger years.
They grow up so fast. 🥲 pic.twitter.com/N6Mg5CSJKK
— NASCAR (@NASCAR) January 30, 2025
But looking at some short-track aces, like Denny Hamlin and even Ryan Blaney has to be on the mind. Hamlin won the clash last season. This race is going to be wild and with how close-quartered the track is, that benefits drivers who aren’t afraid to get a little dirty on the track. Two drivers could certainly make things interesting, and both are multi-time track champions, as Rick Ware Racing and Team AmeriVet both opted to give some Bowman Gray legends a chance. Given it’s both Tim Brown and Burt Myers’ first time in a Cup car, it’s hard to see them making the main event, but you never know.
My gut says taking the defending NASCAR Cup Series Champion Joey Logano to come out on top. He won the inaugural clash at the LA Coliseum, and he’s had a knack for winning first-time things a lot lately.
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Where to Watch
You can catch the practice and heat races on Saturday on Fox Sports 1. The last chance race airs on Sunday, February 2nd at 6:00 pm ET on FOX. The NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will take air at 8:00 pm ET also on FOX.
- Saturday, February 1st:
- Madhouse Classic at Bowman Gray Stadium: 1:45 PM ET, FloRacing
- NASCAR Press Pass: 3:30 PM ET, NASCAR Press Pass
- Cup Series Practice and Qualifying: 6:10 PM ET, FS1
- Cup Series Heat Races: 8:30 PM ET, FS1
- Sunday, February 2nd:
- Cup Series Last Chance Qualifier, 6 PM ET, Fox
- The Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, 8 PM ET, Fox
