NASCAR Cancels Saturday Events for Clash at Bowman Gray, Still Planning Sunday Race

NASCAR officials and fans have been watching the forecast closely ahead of this weekend’s Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray, as an impending snowstorm threatens the preseason race.

As the event draws closer, a schedule update has been provided. NASCAR has canceled all Saturday activities ahead of Winter Storm Gianna, due to hit the Winston-Salem area this weekend before making its way up the East Coast.

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They do wish to still race on Sunday, and that will be the current plan in place.

“Update: NASCAR is moving ahead with trying to run the Clash on Sunday night, but now it will be a one-day show. Saturday has been scrapped due to the expected snow and they’ll run practice/quals/LCQ on Sunday. Hope they can get it cleared in time,” The Athletic’s Jeff Gluck wrote on X.

Winter Weather to Hit North Carolina, Again

Per the National Weather Service, snow is inbound to hit Winston-Salem (again) this weekend. Friday night temperatures are projected in the teens with 1-2 inches of snow possible.

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Snow will then continue throughout Saturday with up to 3-7 additional inches during the day, and another 1-3 inches after dark, according to the NWS model.

Race day on Sunday is expected to remain very cold with a high of 27 degrees and “blustery” winds. To make matters even trickier, temps could dip into the single digits in the evening. This is definitely not fan-friendly weather.

What to Expect on Race Day (If It Happens)

NASCAR appears set on trying to run this event. Temperatures aside, if they can get the track ready and the stands cleared to host fans, there’s a chance.

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Bob Pockrass of Fox Sports shared the now-modified Sunday schedule if Mother Nature cooperates:

• Practice and heats: 2-4 p.m. ET (broadcast on FS2)

• Last Chance qualifying: 6 p.m. ET (Fox)

• Cook Out Clash race: 8 p.m. ET (Fox)

This was also going to be a weekend-long event, featuring some modified and sportsman races, now postponed to a to-be-determined date.

To have Bowman Gray ready for both racing and fans, they will have to get the snowplows and shovels out. Similar to an outdoor NFL game, they will have to clear it out. The release of a Sunday schedule speculates that NASCAR is at least somewhat confident in being able to pull this off.

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What we can expect to see is less grip on the track, thus more slippery racing. With a dry track, they can race just fine, but colder weather does not always agree with a high-performing stock car.

NASCAR has previously explained what cold weather does to a car, if you’re in search of some reading material before Sunday.

This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jan 29, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.