Cody Ware, a full-time NASCAR Cup Series competitor and Greensboro native, is set for a meaningful homecoming this weekend at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. His participation in the Cook Out Clash, the exhibition race inaugurating NASCAR’s 78th season, underscores his deep connection to the famed local track, where his racing passion first took shape.
A Racing Journey Rooted in Local Tradition
Bowman Gray Stadium has long been central to Cody Ware’s development as a driver, transitioning him from a spectator into a professional racer. Growing up near Winston-Salem in a family steeped in racing culture, Ware first absorbed the sport’s excitement from the grandstands before racing Modified cars on the very asphalt where he once watched others compete. His path eventually led him through various motorsport levels, culminating in a career in NASCAR’s premier series.
“There’s not another racetrack where I can say that I went from its grandstands to its weekly lineup to the NASCAR Cup Series,”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
“Bowman Gray is a part of my racing roots, and now with the Clash, I’m able to go back as a Cup driver. It’s a full-circle moment.”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
Upgraded Equipment and New Team Partnerships Boost Performance
This weekend, Ware will pilot his updated No. 51 Chevrolet Camaro for Rick Ware Racing at Bowman Gray. The car is equipped with an ECR R07 V8 engine delivering 750 horsepower, reflecting the team’s recent technical collaboration with Richard Childress Racing. After switching from a Ford to Chevrolet platform, Ware’s team faced significant logistical and engineering challenges but showed promising progress through testing at North Wilkesboro Speedway alongside RCR’s skilled engineers.
“Having to make the transition from Ford to Chevrolet was a big undertaking for the whole team,”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
“The integration with RCR, their engineers and, really, all of their employees, has been impressive, and the test was another good example. It gave us renewed confidence that the direction we’re heading as a race team is the right one.”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
“Partnering with Chevrolet was the right choice. Everything from the engine package to the aerodynamics of the new body, there are just so many positives. It’s early, but we feel like it’s already paying dividends.”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
Facing Fierce Competition on a Legendary Short Track
The Cook Out Clash provides a tough proving ground at Bowman Gray’s quarter-mile oval, known as The Madhouse for its intense, close-contact racing. To earn a spot in the 200-lap main event, Ware must first qualify by placing in the top five of heat races, with 38 drivers competing for just 23 main event positions. Drivers who miss the heats get a final chance through a 75-lap Last Chance Qualifier, where only two additional starting spots are available, ensuring fierce competition throughout the day.
The tight track demands aggressive driving, as overtaking opportunities are scarce and physical racing is common, creating an environment that fosters rivalries and tests every competitor’s resolve.
“You have to be aggressive. If you’re not going to be the person who’s making the aggressive moves, you’re probably going to be the person who’s going to have said moves used on you,”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
“You have to separate the ties and dynamics and relationships you have off the racetrack. Anyone who goes into Bowman Gray thinking it’s all going to be rainbows and sunshine where everyone’s going to walk away happy, they’re very much living in a fantasy. When you’re on the track, you have no friends, only enemies.”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
Sibling Rivalry Fuels Ware’s Motivation at Bowman Gray
Cody’s return also reignites a competitive yet supportive dynamic with his younger brother, Carson Ware, who made waves by winning his first Modified feature race at Bowman Gray, besting seasoned drivers like Burt Myers. This accomplishment remains a playful point of pride Carson often references in their rivalry.
“My brother, Carson, in his first time ever in a Modified, won at Bowman Gray. He held off Burt Myers in the feature and won the race,”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
“So, last year he said to me, ‘If you don’t win this, there’s still only going to be one Ware brother with a win at Bowman Gray.’ You’d think he’d won the Daytona 500 or Indianapolis 500 with how he holds that Bowman Gray win over my head.”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
Despite the friendly rivalry, they remain staunch allies, honoring their family’s legacy with mutual support on and off the track. Cody values being a key resource for Carson, especially as his brother prepares for increased racing participation in the 2026 season and beyond.
“We both have family history at Bowman Gray,”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
“We’ve both raced Modifieds there, and any opportunity we have to race, we’re beyond grateful for. As my brother gets to race more and more here in 2026 and beyond, I want to be the biggest asset that I can be for him. He supports me every weekend. He’s watching the Cup races, cheering me on and texting me and talking to me after the races. And I do the same for him.”
– Cody Ware, full-time NASCAR Cup Series driver
Weekend Events and Broadcast Information
The Cook Out Clash weekend promises a full slate of racing action beginning Saturday at 1:15 p.m. EST with the Madhouse Classic, a Modified division tribute reflecting the roots of the Ware brothers’ careers. Cup Series activities continue Saturday night with practice sessions and highly competitive heat races under the lights. Fans can watch the event live on FS1, with Sunday’s main events airing on FOX starting at 8 p.m. EST. SiriusXM NASCAR Radio will also deliver continuous live commentary, highlighting both local talents and the launch of NASCAR’s lengthy season that concludes at Homestead-Miami Speedway in November.
The Deeper Meaning Behind Ware’s Bowman Gray Appearance
Cody Ware’s Bowman Gray return transcends mere competition, serving as a poignant celebration of his personal background and the community that shaped him. This homecoming emphasizes the lasting influence of grassroots tracks and family ties within NASCAR’s highest ranks. As Ware contends with some of the sport’s premier drivers at a venue embedded in his story, the event attracts attention beyond local fans, exploring how short-track heritage continues to fuel success on national stages. Observers eagerly anticipate whether this chapter at Bowman Gray will culminate in new milestones—and perhaps a cherished Victory Lane moment—at the historic Winston-Salem oval.
