Picture this: the February 2, 2025 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, where NASCAR dove headfirst into its short-track soul, delivering a night of pure, unfiltered chaos. Chase Elliott owned that quarter-mile “Madhouse,” commanding 171 of the 200 laps after snagging the pole. The Winston-Salem crowd was buzzing, soaking in every second of the action.

Denny Hamlin tried to steal the show around Lap 97, sneaking into the lead, but Elliott wasn’t having it, snatching it back by Lap 126 and holding tight until the checkered flag waved. With seven cautions, four lead changes, and just three drivers trading the top spot, the race was a masterclass in short-track intensity. The night wasn’t without its drama. Kyle Busch got tangled in an early multi-car mess, leaving fans gasping.

Chase Elliott couldn’t stop raving about the place, calling it a privilege to win at a track so woven into NASCAR’s fabric. Blaney, ever the competitor, tipped his hat to his progress since the last Clash but grumbled about not having the grip to catch Elliott. Bowman Gray’s legacy as the “Madhouse” shone brighter than ever. He was all in for the idea of returning to the half-mile oval in 2026, “I think they deserve this event, truthfully. We hopefully come back here one day.” Well, it looks like NASCAR took Elliot’s suggestion.

Now, hold onto your hats, because NASCAR dropped a bombshell that’s got fans buzzing all over again. The Cook Out Clash is coming back to Bowman Gray Stadium to kick off the 2026 season, set for Sunday, February 1, 2026. The news broke Wednesday via a post on X, and it’s safe to say the NASCAR world is fired up.

This historic quarter-mile oval in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, will once again host the Cup Series for a non-points showdown at the multi-purpose venue, with FOX Sports ready to beam every heart-stopping moment to living rooms everywhere. The announcement had that extra sprinkle of excitement: Cook Out is back as the entitlement sponsor, keeping the flavor of this fan-favorite event alive.

Bowman Gray’s return is a big deal, especially after the Cup Series made its triumphant comeback in 2025 following a 54-year hiatus. Chase Elliott’s duel with Ryan Blaney had the sold-out crowd roaring, proving this track still brings the heat. The event sparked some serious upgrades, too, like a slick new MUSCO lighting system that turned pre-race ceremonies into a red-glowing spectacle. They also beefed up the guardrail with SAFER barriers, making sure the track’s ready for another round of high-octane chaos.

This place has been a NASCAR cornerstone since 1949, hosting weekly races and Cup Series events from 1958 to 1971, when legends cemented their names in the winner’s circle. The “Madhouse” nickname isn’t just for show. The flat oval, wrapped around a football field, guarantees tight racing, with the “Madhouse Scramble” inversion format and on-track contact stirring up fireworks and tempers.

The France family, NASCAR’s founders, have deep roots here, teaming up with promoter Alvin Hawkins back in the day to push stock-car racing forward. The Hawkins family ran the show at the city-owned stadium for decades until NASCAR took the reins in March 2024.

Even Ben Kennedy, now NASCAR’s executive vice president and chief venue and racing innovation officer, has his own Bowman Gray story, pulling off a thrilling ARCA Menards Series East win in 2013. His grandfather, Bill France Jr., even met his future wife, Betty Jane Zachary, at the track in 1957, making it a family affair.

Will the All-Star Race continue at North Wilkesboro after the Clash announcement?

With the announcement of the Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium kicking off the 2025 season with a high-octane, non-points exhibition, questions naturally arise about NASCAR’s usual schedule. While the return to North Wilkesboro Speedway with the All-Star race has been a success, the sentiment within the NASCAR garage is that they would like to see a new venue.

Brad Keselowski and Ryan Blaney even agreed on moving this event to Charlotte Motor Speedway and just removing the Charlotte Roval from the schedule. Well, the suggestion didn’t stop there. Christopher Bell, who likes the atmosphere at NWS, stated that the All-Star race can be successful if it goes to different places. “With Rockingham getting revived and had an amazing Xfinity race, I think just continuing to go to different racetracks, that’s the key for success.”

NASCAR did switch things up when they took the All-Star race to Bristol and Texas, before landing at North Wilkesboro Speedway. So it might not be a surprise if NASCAR opts for a new venue for 2026.