The NASCAR Cup Series is set to ignite the 2025 season with the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Sunday, February 2, 2025. This highly anticipated exhibition race marks NASCAR’s return to the historic quarter-mile oval in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, for the first time since 1971.
Event Overview:
• Venue: Bowman Gray Stadium, a renowned 0.25-mile flat asphalt oval, often referred to as “NASCAR’s longest-running weekly race track.”
• Race Distance: 200 laps, totaling 50 miles, with only green flag laps counted. The race is designed to conclude under green flag conditions.
Race Format:
1. Practice Sessions: Drivers will participate in practice sessions to determine their starting positions for the heat races. The fastest four drivers in practice will earn pole positions for the respective heat races.
2. Heat Races: Four heat races will be conducted, with the top five finishers from each advancing directly to the main event.
3. Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ): Drivers who do not secure a spot through the heat races will compete in a 75-lap LCQ, where only green flag laps are counted. The top two finishers from the LCQ will complete the 23-car field for the main event.
Notable Participants:
• Tim Brown: The winningest modified driver at Bowman Gray Stadium, with 101 victories, will be driving the No. 15 car for Rick Ware Racing. Brown’s extensive experience at this track could provide him with a significant advantage.
• Bobby Labonte: NASCAR Hall of Famer Bobby Labonte is set to participate in the Cook Out Madhouse Classic, an invitation-only event featuring the stars of Bowman Gray Stadium’s Modified Division, driving the No. 18 Cook Out Modified.
Broadcast Information:
• Television: The race will be broadcast live on Fox, with commentary from Mike Joy, Clint Bowyer, and three-time Clash winner Kevin Harvick. Pit road reporting will be handled by Jamie Little and Regan Smith, with Larry McReynolds providing on-site insights.
• Radio: MRN will provide live radio coverage, also simulcast on Sirius XM NASCAR Radio. The broadcast team includes Alex Hayden, Dan Hubbard, Steve Post, Kim Coon, Brienne Pedigo, and Jason Toy.
Additional Events:
The weekend will also feature the Cook Out Madhouse Classic on Saturday, February 1, an invitation-only event showcasing the stars of Bowman Gray Stadium’s Modified Division. This race will include notable drivers such as Bobby Labonte, enhancing the excitement leading up to the main event.
As the NASCAR Cup Series returns to its roots at Bowman Gray Stadium, fans can anticipate a thrilling weekend of racing, blending historic traditions with the high-octane action characteristic of modern NASCAR events.
