Chase Elliott remains the only driver to have won a NASCAR Cup Series event at Bowman Gray Stadium this century and is determined to maintain that distinction. The Cook Out Clash, NASCAR’s exhibition kickoff, will return to the historic quarter-mile track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, on Sunday at 8 p.m. ET, airing on FOX, HBO Max, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, as the unofficial start to the 2026 season.
The Return to a Historic Racing Venue
Bowman Gray Stadium hosted points-paying NASCAR Cup races from 1958 to 1971 but had not featured the Cup Series again until last February. Elliott captured the No. 9 Hendrick Motorsports Chevrolet to an exhilarating victory, leading 171 out of 200 laps in the race’s return, thrilling fans and competitors alike with his dominant performance.
Elliott’s Reflections on His Previous Clash Win
Reflecting on last year’s event, Elliott expressed enthusiasm about returning.
“I’m looking forward to going back. I thought it was a great event last year,”
he said.
“A lot of energy and excitement around it. I think the crowd, the vibes were great. Obviously, it went really well for us. But even outside of that, I thought it was really good. So yeah, I’m ready to get going.”
Building Momentum in the 2025 Season
Chase Elliott showcased strong form in the 2025 season by winning two points races: one at EchoPark Speedway, his hometown track, and another at Kansas Speedway with a dramatic last-lap pass during the postseason. These victories marked his first multi-win campaign since 2022, a season in which he earned five wins and finished fourth in the championship standings. Despite this momentum, Elliott acknowledges that success in the Clash does not guarantee a strong season ahead.
Elliott’s Perspective on the Clash’s Role in His Season
Elliott shared a realistic view on the weight of a Clash victory, stating,
“I mean, look, it was great to win the race. It didn’t change our season,”
he said.
“And I said that after the race I’m pretty sure that, hey, this was great, but it’s not going to make or break or totally define your year because we’ve had great years where we didn’t run well in the Clash. It’s not a ‘hey, this has to be perfect for the rest of it to go well.’ But look, it’s a competition. It’s an opportunity to go win a race. Everybody’s trying. It’s not like it’s a performative thing. It’s a very competitive event, one that I find to be a lot of fun and I look forward to getting up there and trying to go back-to-back.”
Preparation and Testing at North Wilkesboro Speedway
To prepare for the upcoming Clash and the new season, Elliott participated in an organizational test on January 13 alongside several Cup Series competitors at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Working closely with crew chief Alan Gustafson, this test marked their first in at least two years, providing a valuable opportunity to reacquaint themselves with race conditions and track routines.
“Thought that went well for us,”
Elliott remarked.
“You know, got a good day under our belt of being back at the track and kind of going through those motions. First time we’ve had a test in — I don’t know. How long’s it been since we tested? Two years?”
“Two years — at least,” Gustafson added.
“At least two years,” Elliott confirmed.
“Been a long time since we’ve had a test, and that was nice to do ahead of the Clash. We like to go to work, so we’re just ready to go.”
Adjusting to Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Body Modifications
This year brings updated body designs for the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, and Elliott’s experience with multiple body panel changes over time helps him remain confident despite these adjustments. He acknowledged the challenges in adapting to modifications but remains optimistic about his team’s ability to manage the changes.
“I think you go through those experiences and you learn and you try and not make the same mistakes in the past,”
Elliott said. “But a lot of things have changed. Everything is very, very minor. You know, there’s nothing that is crazy over the top. They have everybody in a really small box, so it’s not like you’re gonna get totally out in left field on the good end and hopefully not on the bad end, either. But definitely a lot more room to mess it up than there is to make it better.
But certainly a lot of effort came from GM and Chevrolet and trying to help and make sure we’re making the right decisions. I couldn’t tell a difference at Wilkesboro last week — obviously, slow pace, not a real racing situation being a test. So a lot of those answers will just have to be answered when we get rolling.”
Looking Ahead to the New Season with High Stakes
The NASCAR season will officially launch with the 68th annual running of the Daytona 500 on Sunday, February 15, which will again be broadcast on FOX, MRN Radio, and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio. As Elliott and his team prepare for the upcoming action, the competitive intensity inherent in defending a Clash title, combined with adjustments to car design, promises an unpredictable and thrilling start to the 2026 campaign.
