The highly anticipated return of NASCAR racing is here with the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium. This marks the first event of the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season, a thrilling exhibition race kicking off the year. This historic quarter-mile short track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, hasn’t hosted a Cup Series event since 1971, making this a must-see race for fans.
The unique format of the Clash adds to the excitement. Drivers competed in four heat races on Saturday to secure their spot in Sunday’s main event. The top five finishers from each heat automatically qualified for the 200-lap feature race. Drivers who didn’t make the cut had one last chance to qualify through the Last Chance Qualifier (LCQ) race.
For those who didn’t qualify through the heats, the LCQ offered a final opportunity to earn a spot in the Clash. The top two finishers of the LCQ secured their positions in the starting lineup. Additionally, a provisional spot was reserved for the highest-ranking driver in the 2024 Cup Series standings who hadn’t already qualified, ensuring a full field of 23 talented drivers.
Chase Elliott clinched the pole position for the Clash after winning his heat race. William Byron and Alex Bowman also earned their spots in the main event by finishing within the top five of their respective heat races. Kyle Larson, needing a strong performance in the LCQ, successfully raced his way into the main event. This sets the stage for an intense battle for the win at Bowman Gray.
The Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium signifies a departure from recent tradition. While the event has been a staple of the NASCAR season since 1979, it was held at Daytona International Speedway for many years. More recently, the Clash took place at the Daytona Road Course and the Los Angeles Coliseum. The return to a historic short track like Bowman Gray promises a different kind of racing, emphasizing close-quarters battles and aggressive driving.
You can catch all the action live on Fox. The LCQ begins at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main event, the Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, at 8 p.m. ET. With a star-studded lineup and the unpredictable nature of short-track racing, the Clash promises an exciting start to the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series season. Don’t miss the chance to witness history in the making as NASCAR returns to Bowman Gray. The tight corners and close racing at this legendary track are sure to deliver thrilling moments and intense competition. Be sure to tune in to see who conquers the unique challenges of Bowman Gray Stadium and claims the first victory of the 2025 season.
