Following the sold-out success of this year’s event, NASCAR has confirmed that the Cook Out Clash will once again serve as the opening exhibition race of the 2026 season at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium. The action unfolds on Saturday, January 31, and Sunday, February 1, with coverage airing on FOX Sports.
“We wrote a new chapter in the history of motorsports at Bowman Gray with this year’s Clash,” said Joey Dennewitz, NASCAR Regional Managing Director. “It’s only fitting to bring the 2026 edition back to NASCAR’s first weekly racetrack — the original home of grassroots racing. Huge thanks to the City of Winston-Salem and Winston-Salem State University for helping us make ‘The Madhouse’ magic happen again.”
Winston-Salem Mayor Allen Joines added, “We’re honored to host the 2026 Cook Out Clash. Last year’s event was a great success for everyone involved — and we’re ready to raise the bar even higher.”
Cook Out, one of the fastest growing family-owned restaurant chains in the country, will return as the title sponsor. Founded in Winston-Salem in 1989, Cook Out is best known for its burgers and famously affordable combos, with more than 350 locations across 11 states.
“We’re proud to bring the NASCAR family together again in our own backyard,” said Jeremy and Morris Reaves, CEO and Founder of Cook Out. “Last year was amazing — and we’re fired up to do it again!”
Cook Out is no stranger to NASCAR. In addition to the Clash, they sponsor major races like the Cook Out 400 at Martinsville and Richmond, and the Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington. They’re also an official quick-service restaurant of the sport and support grassroots racing and the NASCAR Youth Series.
“Cook Out is the real deal,” said Justin Swilling, Project Lead for the Clash. “Their support takes our events to the next level — and 2026 is going to be another can’t-miss, sold-out weekend.”
Bowman Gray Stadium, built in 1937, is NASCAR’s oldest weekly racetrack and has played a central role in the sport’s history. Bill France Sr. and Alvin Hawkins brought NASCAR to the stadium in 1949, and it became the first paved oval track for the organization. The venue has seen 29 Grand National (now Cup Series) races between 1958 and 1971, with legends like Richard Petty, Junior Johnson, and Ned Jarrett making their mark.
Petty even celebrated his 100th career victory there during the 1969 Myers Brothers 250. More recently, the stadium hosted NASCAR East Series events from 2011 to 2015, with wins from Ben Kennedy, Ben Rhodes, Ryan Preece, and Corey LaJoie.
This year’s Cook Out Clash was the first Cup Series race at Bowman Gray since 1971, and it didn’t disappoint. 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott took the win, thrilling fans and reigniting the intensity that defines this iconic venue.
For more details and to join the ticket list for the 2026 Cook Out Clash, visit NASCARClash.com. To explore weekly racing action at Bowman Gray Stadium, including modified, sportsman, street stock, and stadium stock divisions, head to bowmangrayracing.com.
