Ryan Blaney has expressed strong support for NASCAR’s decision to bring the Clash back to Bowman Gray Stadium in 2026, highlighting the event’s personal importance and appeal. The Team Penske driver reflected on the 2025 Bowman Gray race, emphasizing its connection to the local community and its exciting racing, underscoring the significance of returning to the quarter-mile oval in Winston-Salem.
Blaney said,
“I’m excited it’s going back to Winston Salem. Growing up around that area, it meant a lot to me. High Point, Wednesday in Greensboro—I spent a lot of time in those areas and saw a lot of people that I grew up with that came after that race. It’s good for the community.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Reviewing the 2025 Bowman Gray Cook Out Clash
The 2025 edition of the Cook Out Clash was a milestone event as it marked the Cup Series’ return to Bowman Gray Stadium after more than fifty years. NASCAR invested heavily in safety upgrades, including SAFER barriers and enhanced lighting, which helped enable a successful event in front of a sold-out crowd. The race featured an old-school format with preliminary heat races and a last-chance qualifier, which created intense competition.
Chase Elliott dominated the race by leading 171 of 200 laps, securing the victory in a highly competitive field of 22 cars. Ryan Blaney finished second after battling hard throughout the event, praising the race’s quality and excitement.
Reflecting on whether changes are needed for 2026, Blaney stated,
“I don’t really know. I thought it put on a great show. I liked that we’re there with the Mods (Modified cars)… I don’t really think I would change much about it. Honestly, I thought it put on a better race than the Coliseum—like just the raceability of guys passing people and tire fall-off, and I think that’s good.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
Comparing Bowman Gray to Previous Clash Venues
Prior to the 2025 Bowman Gray event, the Busch Light Clash had been held at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for three years. The Coliseum, a quarter-mile track in L.A., hosted the event with a similar race format, though by 2024 enthusiasm for the format had started to wane due to limited competitive passing and other challenges.
In contrast, the Bowman Gray race in 2025 was widely regarded as more competitive and exciting, providing NASCAR with a successful blueprint rooted in the sport’s heritage and passion for short-track racing.
Potential New NASCAR Race in San Diego Amid 2026 Schedule Changes
While the Bowman Gray Clash settles into 2026, NASCAR’s broader calendar continues to shift. Reports indicate that both Mexico City and Chicago events will not be part of the 2026 schedule, creating an opening in the road course rotation. NASCAR is reportedly moving forward with plans to introduce a new race at a temporary street circuit in Coronado, San Diego.
This proposed event would be NASCAR’s return to Southern California since the 2023 hiatus of Auto Club Speedway’s points races, driven by renovation plans focused on short-track development. The San Diego race would mark the first NASCAR street race in the region and attempt to blend urban racing excitement with the sport’s evolving footprint.
Asked about these San Diego rumors, Blaney commented,
“That’s circulating more and more—that it might be a possibility, and it might happen. And that would be neat. They’ve proven that they can do it. They’ve done it with Chicago, and they’ve been able to do it with these places that they can build race tracks. I think now NASCAR’s gotten their arms wrapped around it.”
—Ryan Blaney, NASCAR driver
NASCAR’s Adaptation to New Venues and the Future Outlook
NASCAR’s recent forays into temporary street circuits, such as the Chicago Street Race in 2023, displayed the sport’s growing logistical capability and commercial potential for urban events. Although results have varied, these events demonstrated that NASCAR can integrate high-profile, temporary venues into its schedule successfully.
With Mexico City and Chicago races absent from the 2026 lineup, the San Diego street event offers a fresh opportunity to maintain diversity in the calendar and continue NASCAR’s balance of honoring grassroots traditions while expanding into new markets. Should the San Diego race be officially confirmed, it would symbolize another step in NASCAR’s evolving strategy to blend heritage short-track racing with modern, city-based venues.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Did Ryan Blaney get married?
A. Blaney is married to model Gianna Tulio. On June 1, 2025, they shared the news that they are expecting a baby.
