WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Winter weather has thrown everything but the kitchen sink at the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, and after historic snowfall and multiple postponements, the iconic preseason exhibition is now set to roar to life Wednesday, Feb. 4, under the lights at the quarter-mile “Madhouse.” Originally scheduled for Sunday, Feb. 1, the 200-lap Clash was pushed back due to 8–10 inches of snow across Winston-Salem and the surrounding Piedmont region, prompting NASCAR and local authorities to reset the event in the interest of safety and track preparation.
Bowman Gray Stadium — the venerable short track where NASCAR Cup cars don’t just race, they rumble — will open its gates mid-afternoon Wednesday with practice and qualifying slated for 1:30 p.m. ET, followed by a Last Chance Qualifier in the late afternoon and the Clash’s main event firing off at 6 p.m. on FOX. Despite the wintry start to the week, crews have been working around the clock clearing snow and ice from the facility, with drivers like Ricky Stenhouse Jr. and Todd Gilliland even grabbing shovels to help hasten preparations — a testament to the fan-first atmosphere that makes Bowman Gray one of NASCAR’s most electric venues.
The rescheduled date still carries a risk of lingering cold and reflectively wintry conditions, but forecasters suggest temperatures near or just above freezing by race time, with nighttime lows dipping into the 30s — much like last year’s chilly Clash that challenged teams with unusual tire wear and track grip. Officials have emphasized that Wednesday offers the safest and most practical window for the race, balancing community recovery from the storm with NASCAR’s desire to deliver a full slate of action for fans who have flocked to Winston-Salem in record numbers.
From the stands to the start/finish line, this year’s Clash carries extra intrigue: 23 drivers will vie for early bragging rights and momentum as the Cup Series season officially kicks off, with the traditional format accelerated due to earlier weather delays. Practice groups and qualifying will set the field, and the Last Chance Qualifier offers another shot at the main event for drivers outside the top 20 in speed.
For fans weary of winter weather and track crews still contending with piles of snow, Wednesday night’s showdown represents a symbolic thaw — not just of ice, but of NASCAR passion ready to burst loose in up-close, bumper-to-bumper short-track racing. As local lore goes, if there’s one place where snow won’t stop a race crowd, it’s Bowman Gray, where packed stands and raging engines are about to take center stage once the snowplows clear and the green flag waves.
Even with forecast quirks and lingering chill in the air, the Clash is poised to deliver barnstorming action that short-track fans live for — the audio of roaring Cup engines echoing through Winston-Salem, warmed by the energy of thousands of diehard race fans who won’t let a little snow spoil the party. With on-track drama, weather drama and a storied venue that feels electric even in cold weather, this Wednesday’s Cook Out Clash could be one of the most memorable season kickoffs in short-track NASCAR history.
Stay tuned to EasySportz, bringing you on site coverage of all things NASCAR at Bowman Gray Stadium on Wednesday.
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EasySportz plans to recap the event with feature stories and driver interviews following competition here in Winston-Salem.
It’s a chilly, damp Wednesday afternoon, but cars are on track and that’s all that matters.
A round of applause to NASCAR for getting this event to the finish line. What a heroic effort all around.
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