NASCAR’s Cook Out Clash will return to Bowman Gray Stadium again this year in Winston-Salem on Jan. 29 through Feb. 1 with a slate of new fan events expanding the experience beyond race night.
The nationally televised exhibition race, which kicks off the NASCAR Cup Series season, anchors a four-day weekend of racing and events from Thursday, Jan. 29, through Sunday, Feb. 1. New off-track programming introduced in partnership with local organizations aims to turn the Clash into a weekend celebration for fans, families and local residents.
Advertisement
The Madhouse Classic on Saturday adds an additional race this year, with a Sportsman Division race preceding the Modified Division feature. The Madhouse Classic is scheduled to begin at 1:15 p.m. on Saturday. Both races will showcase top Bowman Gray drivers and potential special guests, followed by NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying.
Sunday’s Cook Out Clash race will begin at 8 p.m. A new ticketed add-on experience, the Clash Fan Track Walk, will take place before the race, allowing fans to walk the legendary quarter-mile track before the main event while enjoying live entertainment, photo opportunities and driver meet-and-greets.
FOX will broadcast this year’s Clash race in primetime. The Clash is an exhibition-style race that kicks off the NASCAR season ahead of the Daytona 500. Originally launched in Los Angeles, the event moved to Winston-Salem in 2025, with officials citing the rich history and electric atmosphere of Bowman Gray Stadium. The race marked the first NASCAR Cup Series event held in Winston-Salem in more than 50 years.
The Clash’s first year in Winston-Salem had sellout crowds on both days and a national broadcast audience of more than 3 million viewers on FOX, making it the second most-watched event of the weekend. The strong showing and fan support set the stage for an expanded Clash weekend in 2026.
Advertisement
Local hotel partners have reported increased room bookings ahead of this year’s Clash, particularly multi-night stays. Campground bookings at the Winston Salem Fairgrounds are also pacing ahead of last year.
Outside of the two races, there will be a variety of events for people and local race car fans to enjoy.
A NASCAR Trivia Night will be held on Thursday at 7 p.m. at Fiddlin’ Fish Brewery in Winston-Salem. This is a race-themed kickoff featuring trivia, food trucks, and prizes for winning teams, including race tickets. Fans are encouraged to wear bold, old-school NASCAR gear, with prizes for the most spirited looks.
The NASCAR Clash Fan Preview will take place from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Friday at the Winston-Salem Fairgrounds. This is a ticketed, immersive fan experience offering up-close access to NASCAR drivers, legends, simulators, and display cars. The Fan Preview also serves as the departure point for the Clash Hauler Parade.
Advertisement
The Clash Hauler Parade will begin on Friday about 2:30 p.m. Dozens of NASCAR team haulers will travel through downtown in a parade en route to Bowman Gray Stadium.
FanFare on Fourth is scheduled for 3:30 to 5 p.m. at Merschel Park in downtown Winston-Salem. This new anchor event, with free admission, brings racing simulators, kids’ activities, music, giveaways, and booths from local attractions. Fans can also meet NASCAR driver Rajah Caruth and see race car displays, including Dale Earnhardt’s iconic No. 3 car.
NASCAR Cars + Coffee will be held on Sunday from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Fifth and Main streets in Winston-Salem. This is a free, NASCAR-sponsored cruise-in-style car show featuring hundreds of classic and custom vehicles, NASCAR show cars, food trucks, music, and driver appearances.
Fans will notice several enhancements this year at Bowman Gray Stadium. These include a new $1 million video board installed weeks ago. The high-definition LED board measures 32 feet by 19 feet, nearly double the size of the previous board. It’s the latest in a series of track improvements partially or fully funded by NASCAR, which signed an agreement to manage racing operations at Bowman Gray Stadium through 2050.
Read the full article here
