With the Busch Light Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium now in the books, one of the biggest questions in the NASCAR world is whether the event should return to “The Madhouse” in 2026 or move to another new venue. Joey Logano, always one to offer a well-balanced perspective, shared his thoughts on both sides of the debate, acknowledging the strengths of Bowman Gray while also considering the appeal of taking the Clash elsewhere.
The Case for Bowman Gray
Logano, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, recognized what made Bowman Gray such a compelling venue for the Clash.
“There’s no doubt this place has an energy that’s hard to match,” Logano said. “The fans are right on top of you, the racing is physical, and there’s an old-school vibe that’s really cool. It definitely delivered a unique experience.”
Indeed, Bowman Gray’s tight quarter-mile layout, intense restarts, and classic short-track tempers gave NASCAR something completely different from past Clashes, including the previous LA Coliseum editions and the long-standing Daytona exhibition format.
For those in favor of a return, Logano admitted there’s an argument to be made.
“If NASCAR is looking for short-track action, I don’t know where you’re going to get more of it than here,” he added.
The Case for Moving On
However, Logano also acknowledged the downsides of keeping the Clash at Bowman Gray and the appeal of rotating to a new short track in 2026.
“The other side of it is, do you keep doing the same thing, or do you mix it up again?” he asked. “The Clash has kind of become NASCAR’s way of trying different things, and there are a lot of cool tracks out there that could put on a show like this.”
Some drivers struggled with the narrow racing groove, limited passing, and the potential for track position to dictate results too much. If NASCAR wants to experiment, tracks like Hickory Motor Speedway, South Boston Speedway, or Five Flags Speedway could provide a fresh take on the event.
Final Verdict?
Logano didn’t commit to one side or the other, but his perspective highlights the tough decision NASCAR faces. The Clash at Bowman Gray had plenty of thrills, controversy, and crowd energy, but some will argue that the novelty could wear off if it returns every year.
Should the Clash come back to Bowman Gray in 2026? Or is it time to give another grassroots short track a shot? Like Logano, fans and industry insiders are split—but one thing’s for sure: the Clash’s future is a hot topic heading into next season.
