2026 NASCAR Cook Out Clash Returns to Bowman Gray Stadium

The NASCAR Clash, the season opening race of the Cup Series schedule that has rotated around sites in recent years, will return to Bowman-Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, to start the 2026 season on January 31 and February 1.

The Cook Out Clash at ‘The Madhouse’ this past February was the first Cup Series race at the track since 1971. Chase Elliott, 2020 Cup Series champion, won the main event at the venue which was first built in 1937 and is the longest-running weekly racetrack in NASCAR history.

“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year,” said Joey Dennewitz, NASCAR Regional managing director. “As NASCAR’s first weekly racetrack, we are proud to bring the 2026 Cook Out Clash back to the original home to grassroots racing. Thanks to the city of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for their continued partnership.”

In 1949, Bill France Sr. and Alvin Hawkins, two founding fathers of NASCAR, brought motorsports to Bowman-Gray as the first weekly racetrack and first paved racetrack that NASCAR competed on. The racetrack hosted 29 NASCAR races from 1958 to 1971 and  hosted several East Series races from 2011 to 2015. In 2024, NASCAR took over management of racing operations at Bowman Gray Stadium in partnership with the city of Winston-Salem.

“The City of Winston Salem is deeply honored to have been chosen to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash,” said Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines. “The 2025 race was an immensely successful event for all parties involved. We will work hard to ensure that the 2026 Cook Out Clash is even more successful.”

Based in the Winston-Salem area since 1989, Cook Out is the entitlement partner for the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville Speedway and Richmond Raceway and the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway..