WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — The 2026 NASCAR Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium is shaping up as one of the most intriguing preseason exhibitions in recent memory, with the first official betting odds released Tuesday morning ahead of this weekend’s action at the iconic quarter-mile short track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The heat races will roar to life on Saturday, followed by the last chance qualifier and Main Event on Sunday, when the Cup regulars battle for bragging rights in the sport’s traditional kickoff event.
This year marks the second running of the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium after the event’s successful debut in 2025, when Chase Elliott led 171 of 200 laps to claim the inaugural Bowman Gray victory in NASCAR’s return to the historic venue.
2026 Betting Odds (Caesar’s Sportsbook as of Jan. 28, 2026)
The early odds board closely mirrors last year’s mark, with a few familiar names near the top:
- Ryan Blaney, Chase Elliott — +650
- Denny Hamlin — +700
- Kyle Larson — +800
- Christopher Bell, William Byron — +850
- Chase Briscoe — +1100
- Joey Logano — +1200
… and a slate of longshots stretching out to Burt Myers and Cody Ware at +100000.
Elliott, the defending Bowman Gray Clash winner and a perennial preseason standout, enters as a co-favorite alongside Blaney, who finished second in the 2025 Clash and has proven adept on tight ovals. Hamlin and Bell also rank high in the odds, reflecting their consistent short-track proficiency and strong horsepower packages, while Larson — the reigning NASCAR Cup Series champion — sits just behind the top tier.
Notably, the odds board includes a handful of longshot and “hail-Mary” selections, the most colorful of which is Bowman Gray legend Burt Myers, who returns to compete again in the No. 50 machine. Myers, known for his success on the quarter-mile circuit, represents a classic “local hero” pick in a field dominated by full-time Cup competitors.
The unique format — four 25-lap heat races on Saturday followed by a 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier and then a 200-lap feature on Sunday — places a premium on short-run speed, clean qualifying laps and inside-track race craft. Only the top finishers in the heats automatically advance to the Main Event, with a final opportunity provided through the LCQ before the full 23-car Clash field is set.
For bettors and fans alike, the odds suggest a balance between proven veterans and potential spoilers.
As always with exhibition races, results won’t impact the championship standings, but they can set the tone for the season ahead and provide early data on setups, tire wear and driver comfort at one of the sport’s tightest circuits. Sunday’s Main Event — scheduled for 200 laps around the 0.25-mile “Madhouse” — will offer the first on-track glimpse of Cup cars in battle formation for 2026.
Whether bettors lean toward the top of the board with established frontrunners or sprinkle tickets on longshots like Myers, the Clash’s blend of short-track intensity and preseason unpredictability makes it a compelling start to the NASCAR year. As always, the odds will evolve leading into Sunday’s feature, but the early markets provide a snapshot of how oddsmakers view the balance of power heading into the 2026 season opener.
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