WINSTON‑SALEM, N.C. — Weather watchers and NASCAR fans alike are nervously checking the sky ahead of the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium on Wednesday, Feb. 4, 2026, because old man winter just won’t quit in the Piedmont Triad. After historic snowfall derailed practice, qualifying and the main event earlier in the weekend, snow totals appear to be picking up again — and that has some folks wondering if we’ll get snowsed out yet again.
The National Weather Service and local conditions around Winston‑Salem suggest that lingering moisture and chilly temperatures could deliver another batch of snow showers midweek, which may threaten the main event slated for Wednesday evening. Practice and qualifying sessions currently look good to go, but if snow begins falling with any measurable accumulation, clearing and preparing the quarter‑mile oval could become a major challenge once more. Forecasts don’t yet show blizzard conditions, but with the area having already seen 8–10 inches of snow recently and more cold air settling in, the risk for another weather delay isn’t trivial.
On the bright side for fans and teams who’ve patiently shoveled and plowed, temperatures during the day have hovered above freezing at times, meaning that minor trace snow events might not stick long on the cleared racing surface — even as shaded and exposed roads still carry remnants of last week’s storm. Outside observers have cheekily noted that Winston‑Salem’s weather lately has felt more like January 61st than early February, and locals are rolling their eyes with good reason.
That said, NASCAR officials and track crews are likely looking at Wednesday with cautious optimism. If conditions do take a turn for the worse, Thursday could become Plan B — provided the storm system doesn’t linger beyond mid‑week. But here’s the twist: while that inside scoop is not official by any means, pushing the race past Thursday becomes increasingly difficult. Teams must prepare to head to Daytona for Speedweeks, and FOX’s broadcast production is already on the move, making Friday or later slots all but impossible. So if Mother Nature refuses to let up, we could be looking not just at a Thursday reschedule, but a very real possibility that the main event doesn’t run at all.
Fans have taken to social media with everything from hopeful bets on a Thursday race to bemused acceptance that Bowman Gray might end up being the Sisyphean Clash — pushed and pushed again like a racetrack version of that mythic boulder. It’s still early, and race day is far from official weather‑canceled, but the combination of lingering snow, cold roads and forecast uncertainty has everyone in Winston‑Salem eyeing the skies as closely as they are the entry list.
Where this all lands, and whether the engines really do fire Wednesday night, comes down to one very important metric: snow totals versus schedule pressure. If enough flakes fall to coat the track again before the day ends, teams may be prepping for Thursday — but if the pattern shifts and clears out, the Madhouse could still erupt as planned. Either way, it’s shaping up to be one of the more weather‑driven Kickoff Weeks in Clash history.
In this corner: a quarter‑mile racetrack, hungry Cup drivers and a fanbase itching for engines.
In the other: Jack Frost, who just won’t let up.
Place your bets — and maybe pack a shovel.
Check out all EasySportz NHL Content Here
College Football Viewing Guide
