The 2025 NASCAR season officially begins this Sunday with the NASCAR Clash, a special event marking the sport’s long-awaited return to Bowman Gray Stadium for the first time in 54 years. The legendary quarter-mile bullring in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will once again play host to the stars of the Cup Series, bringing NASCAR back to one of its most historic venues.
Fans can catch all the action live on NASCAR on FOX, with coverage beginning Saturday at 6:00 PM ET.
A Return to The Madhouse
Bowman Gray Stadium, often called “The Madhouse,” is no stranger to high-intensity racing. The tight, paperclip-shaped quarter-mile track is known for its bump-and-run battles, short tempers, and passionate fans. NASCAR last raced here in 1971, and its return is expected to be one of the most talked-about moments of the 2025 season.
Bringing The Clash to Bowman Gray is a nod to NASCAR’s short-track roots, putting drivers in close quarters where contact is inevitable, and every position must be fought for. With 200 laps of action, expect the unexpected as some of the sport’s biggest names try to survive The Madhouse.
What to Expect: Format & Key Storylines
The 2025 Clash will feature:
• Four 25-lap heat races on Saturday to set the lineup.
• A 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) for drivers who haven’t secured a spot.
• The 200-lap main event on Sunday night, where chaos is all but guaranteed.
Some key storylines heading into the race:
• Can veterans handle the Bowman Gray chaos? While some Cup drivers have raced at Bowman Gray in lower divisions, many haven’t faced the bullring’s unique challenges at this level.
• Will tempers flare early? Bowman Gray has a reputation for hard racing and heated rivalries—with bumpers expected to be used early and often.
• Who adapts the fastest? With limited practice time and a completely different track from previous Clash venues, drivers who quickly adjust to the tight racing lines and aggressive style will have the best shot at victory.
Clash Weekend Schedule (ET)
Saturday (FS1)
• 6:10 PM – Cup Series Practice (3 groups, 3 sessions of 8 minutes each)
• 8:30 PM – Cup Series Heat Races (4 heats, 25 laps each)
Sunday (FOX)
• 6:00 PM – Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) – 75 laps
• 8:00 PM – The Clash – 200 laps
Weather for the weekend looks promising, with temperatures in the 50s during the day, dropping to the 40s at night, and only a 5% chance of rain.
A Can’t-Miss Event
With NASCAR’s return to Bowman Gray, The Clash is set to be one of the most memorable season openers in years. The combination of tight racing, high stakes, and short-track tempers makes this an event fans won’t want to miss.
Get ready—NASCAR is back, and The Madhouse is about to live up to its name.
