The NASCAR Cup Series Cook Out Clash, originally set to take place at Bowman Gray Stadium, has been postponed to Wednesday due to Winter Storm Gianna impacting Winston-Salem and surrounding areas in North Carolina. The decision was made to ensure the safety of attendees and allow emergency resources to focus on storm response.
Justin Swilling, the project lead, stated,
“gives us the best opportunity to hold this event with fans at Bowman Gray Stadium while allowing the City of Winston-Salem to dedicate all of their resources to respond to the needs created by this historic weather event,”
emphasizing the importance of balancing the event with community needs during the severe weather.
Updated Schedule for NASCAR Activities
Practice and qualifying sessions for the NASCAR Cup Series are planned to start at 1:30 p.m. on Wednesday; however, these activities will not be televised. The last-chance qualifier will air at 4:30 p.m. on Fox (WVBT in Hampton Roads), followed by the main Cook Out Clash race kicking off at 6 p.m. on the same network. These adjustments accommodate the rescheduling while providing fans access to key races during the day.
Additional Sports Scheduling Changes in Region due to Winter Storm
Winter Storm Gianna has created widespread disruptions beyond auto racing. The Virginia High School League’s girls wrestling Zone 1 qualifier, initially scheduled earlier, has been moved to Sunday, February 15, and Monday, February 16 at Kellam High School in Virginia Beach. Doors will open at 11 a.m. on Sunday and 9 a.m. on Monday for attendees.
In men’s basketball, Virginia Peninsula Community College postponed its home game against Patrick & Henry Community College indefinitely at the SafeHaven Empowerment Center in Newport News. Similarly, the Apprentice School’s game against Atlantis of Miami, set to take place at Barber-Scotia’s arena in Concord, North Carolina, was canceled due to continuing impacts from the storm.
College Men’s Gymnastics Highlights Despite Weather Challenges
William & Mary’s gymnastics team posted its best score of the season, 303.1, in a dual meet at Springfield but fell short against their opponent’s 310.55. Key performances included Niko Greenly winning the floor exercise with a career-high 13.6 points. Other notable results featured Gavin Zborowski placing second on rings with 12.8 and third on the pommel horse at 13.9. Ricky Pizem earned second place on vault (13.75) and third on the high bar (12.8), while Evan Wilkins secured second on the high bar (12.85) and shared third on parallel bars (12.7).
Regional Impact of Winter Storm Continues Across Multiple Sectors
The aftermath of Winter Storm Gianna continues to affect various activities and schedules in the region. From sporting events such as wrestling and basketball to auto racing at Bowman Gray Stadium, the storm’s consequences are evident. These disruptions highlight the challenges faced in eastern North Carolina, Virginia Beach, Norfolk, and other surrounding locations as communities respond to weather-related difficulties.
Looking ahead, officials and organizers are expected to monitor weather conditions closely and adjust future event planning to ensure participant safety and community readiness in this storm-impacted region.
