Get Ready for the Excitement: The 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium is Here!
As fans gear up for an electrifying showdown, NASCAR Cup Series drivers are set to take the track at the historic Bowman Gray Stadium. This thrilling event kicks off with two practice sessions lasting 8 minutes each, leading into an intense qualifying round on Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. ET. Viewers can catch all the action live via the FOX Sports App, provided they have access to FS1 and can log in through their cable provider.
In a surprising twist this year, the heat races have been scrapped due to winter weather conditions. Instead, the top 20 fastest drivers from the qualifying session will automatically secure their spots in the prestigious Cook Out Clash's main event, which is scheduled to start at 6 p.m. ET. For those looking to follow along, you can tune in on FOX, MRN Radio, HBO Max, or SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
But that's not all! There’s also the Last Chance Qualifier Race taking place earlier at 4:30 p.m. ET, where the top two finishers will earn their way into the main event, filling positions 21 and 22 on the starting grid. The last spot, number 23, will go to the highest-ranked driver from the final standings of 2025 who did not qualify through the LCQ.
Practice Groups Break Down:
The drivers are divided into three groups for practice:
- Group 1: AJ Allmendinger, Todd Gilliland, Zane Smith, Connor Zilisch, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., Daniel Suárez, Cole Custer, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, Burt Myers (i), and John Hunter Nemechek.
- Group 2: Alex Bowman, Austin Cindric, Austin Dillon, Josh Berry, Chris Buescher, Cody Ware, Ty Gibbs, Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, and Shane van Gisbergen.
- Group 3: Kyle Larson, Denny Hamlin, Chase Briscoe, William Byron, Christopher Bell, Joey Logano, Tyler Reddick, Bubba Wallace, Ryan Blaney, and others.
Qualifying Groups Revealed:
The qualification format features 3 groups as well:
- Group 1: Cole Custer, Ty Dillon, Noah Gragson, Riley Herbst, Ryan Preece, Chad Finchum, and Burt Myers (i).
- Group 2: Ty Gibbs, Corey LaJoie, Kyle Busch, Michael McDowell, Carson Hocevar, Erik Jones, and John Hunter Nemechek.
- Group 3: Joey Logano, Chase Elliott, Tyler Reddick, Ross Chastain, and more.
Stay Tuned for Results and Lineups:
The excitement doesn't stop there! Following the qualifying rounds, results will determine the starting positions for the Cook Out Clash:
- Starting Positions 1-20 will be filled by the fastest qualifiers.
- Positions 21 and 22 will go to the winners of the Last Chance Qualifier Race.
- Position 23 is reserved for the highest-ranked driver from the previous season who did not qualify.
This is your chance to witness high-octane racing like never before—mark your calendars, gather your friends, and prepare for an unforgettable day at Bowman Gray Stadium! And here's where it gets intriguing: How do you think the cancellation of heat races will impact the dynamics of the competition? Are you rooting for any specific driver this season? Share your thoughts below!
