The NASCAR Cook Out Clash has been postponed once more because of a rare snowstorm affecting North Carolina. The season-opening exhibition event will now take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2026, at Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem, N.C., as local officials and NASCAR work to ensure safe conditions.
The city and surrounding region were hit with 8 to 10 inches of snow on Saturday, forcing a reschedule for all on-track activities to Wednesday. The unusual winter weather disrupted preparations, making it necessary to push back the race to a later date, in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Transportation and Winston-Salem city officials.
Revised Timetable for the Cook Out Clash Event
The updated schedule for Wednesday’s event includes practice, qualifying sessions, and the main race itself, all planned to run at Bowman Gray Stadium. The quarter-mile track will host 23 teams competing in a 200-lap race that will set the tone for the upcoming NASCAR Cup Series season.
- 1:30 p.m. ET – Practice and qualifying
- 4:30 p.m. ET – Last Chance Qualifier
- 6:00 p.m. ET – Cook Out Clash main event
This change was communicated by the event organizers through social media, emphasizing their ongoing efforts to adapt to the challenging weather conditions and to deliver a safe race experience for drivers, teams, and fans alike.
EVENT UPDATE: Due to the impacts of historic winter weather across the North Carolina region, the #CookOutClash has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Feb. 4. NASCAR is continuing to work closely with the City of Winston-Salem and NC Department of Transportation. We appreciate your… pic.twitter.com/ONUweT1ZTL
— Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (@nascarclash)
Competitors Ready for the Postponed Race
Officials released the full entry list for the rescheduled Cook Out Clash, featuring 38 drivers and their vehicles. Among the notable competitors are Ross Chastain in the No. 1 Chevrolet, Joey Logano in the No. 22 Ford, William Byron in the No. 24 Chevrolet, and Bubba Wallace piloting the No. 23 Toyota.
The diverse lineup includes veterans like Kyle Busch, Denny Hamlin, and Alex Bowman, alongside rising stars such as Noah Gragson and Todd Gilliland. This blend highlights the competitive depth expected in this highly anticipated shortened-track race, which challenges drivers’ skill in a fast-paced, tight environment.
heavy on the “other duties as assigned” for our Ops team pic.twitter.com/v9H4wDOHo1
— Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (@nascarclash)
- 1, Ross Chastain, No. 1 Chevrolet
- 2, Austin Cindric, No. 2 Ford
- 3, Austin Dillon, No. 3 Chevrolet
- 4, Noah Gragson, No. 4 Ford
- 5, Kyle Larson, No. 5 Chevrolet
- 6, Corey LaJoie, No. 6 Ford
- 7, Daniel Suarez, No. 7 Chevrolet
- 8, Kyle Busch, No. 8 Chevrolet
- 9, Chase Elliott, No. 9 Chevrolet
- 10, Ty Dillon, No. 10 Chevrolet
- 11, Denny Hamlin, No. 11 Toyota
- 12, Ryan Blaney, No. 12 Ford
- 13, AJ Allmendinger, No. 16 Chevrolet
- 14, Chris Buescher, No. 17 Ford
- 15, Chase Briscoe, No. 19 Toyota
- 16, Christopher Bell, No. 20 Toyota
- 17, Josh Berry, No. 21 Ford
- 18, Joey Logano, No. 22 Ford
- 19, Bubba Wallace, No. 23 Toyota
- 20, William Byron, No. 24 Chevrolet
- 21, Todd Gilliland, No. 34 Ford
- 22, Riley Herbst, No. 35 Toyota
- 23, Zane Smith, No. 38 Ford
- 24, Cole Custer, No. 41 Ford
- 25, John Hunter Nemechek, No. 42 Toyota
- 26, Erik Jones, No. 43 Toyota
- 27, Tyler Reddick, No. 45 Toyota
- 28, Ricky Stenhouse Jr., No. 47 Ford
- 29, Alex Bowman, No. 48 Chevrolet
- 30, Burt Myers, No. 50 Chevrolet
- 31, Cody Ware, No. 51 Ford
- 32, Ty Gibbs, No. 54 Toyota
- 33, Ryan Preece, No. 60 Ford
- 34, Chad Finchum, No. 66 Ford
- 35, Michael McDowell, No. 71 Chevrolet
- 36, Carson Hocevar, No. 77 Chevrolet
- 37, Connor Zilisch, No. 88 Chevrolet
- 38, Shane van Gisbergen, No. 97 Chevrolet
Event Impact and What to Expect Next
Postponing the Cook Out Clash highlights the challenges of hosting motorsport events during unexpected weather conditions, particularly in regions not typically prone to such severe winter storms. NASCAR’s collaboration with local authorities demonstrates a commitment to safety and operational excellence under difficult circumstances.
Looking ahead, the rescheduled race will serve as an important early test for drivers and teams in the 2026 NASCAR Cup Series. The short track at Bowman Gray Stadium is known for close racing and intense competition, promising an exciting showdown as participants adapt to the delay and prepare to battle under hopefully improved conditions.
Our efforts continue. pic.twitter.com/K1D1bZ3BCb
— Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (@nascarclash)
Our efforts continue. pic.twitter.com/K1D1bZ3BCb
— Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (@nascarclash) February 1, 2026
EVENT UPDATE: Due to the impacts of historic winter weather across the North Carolina region, the #CookOutClash has been rescheduled to Wednesday, Feb. 4.
NASCAR is continuing to work closely with the City of Winston-Salem and NC Department of Transportation. We appreciate your… pic.twitter.com/ONUweT1ZTL— Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (@nascarclash) February 1, 2026
heavy on the “other duties as assigned” for our Ops team pic.twitter.com/v9H4wDOHo1
— Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium (@nascarclash) January 31, 2026
