Bowman Gray Stadium to Host NASCAR Cook Out Clash Again in 2026

The NASCAR Cup Series will once again return to its grassroots roots as officials confirmed on Wednesday that the Cook Out Clash will be held at Bowman Gray Stadium in 2026. This marks the second straight year the iconic quarter-mile bullring in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will host the non-points event for Cup Series drivers.

The historic venue, often referred to as “The Madhouse,” witnessed its first Cup Series event in over five decades when the 2025 edition was staged there, drawing a sold-out crowd and reviving the energy of one of NASCAR’s most unique settings. That race, which featured a 200-lap showdown among 22 top-level drivers, was dominated by 2020 Cup Series champion Chase Elliott, who led 171 laps en route to victory.

NASCAR’s 2025 event at Bowman Gray marked its long-awaited comeback to the venue after more than five decades, reigniting the legacy of one of the sport’s most historic tracks. Built within a football stadium, the compact layout and electric atmosphere delivered a spectacle that blended NASCAR’s deep legacy with the thrill of modern motorsport. The success of the event prompted an immediate decision to bring it back for another year.

Though details for the 2026 Cook Out Clash schedule and structure remain under wraps, anticipation is already building after the 2025 event exceeded expectations. NASCAR’s Regional Managing Director, Joey Dennewitz, celebrated the announcement by calling the return a proud continuation of Bowman Gray’s storied role in motorsports history.

Bowman Gray first opened its gates in 1937 and quickly became an epicenter of American stock car racing. NASCAR assumed long-term operational control of the stadium in 2024, solidifying its intention to use the venue not just for its nostalgic charm, but as a cornerstone for ongoing events in the future.