Bowman Gray Stadium, a historic quarter-mile track in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, has made a celebrated comeback to NASCAR’s premier series after more than five decades. The 2025 Clash event at this iconic venue reignited memories and energy, delivering intense racing and passionate fan reactions. NASCAR champion Ryan Blaney expressed strong support for the track’s return, emphasizing its unique atmosphere and thrilling racing style that captivated drivers and fans alike.
The return brought the NASCAR Clash back to “The Madhouse,” a venue known for its tight short track racing and raucous crowds. Bowman Gray last hosted Cup Series races from 1958 to 1971 but remained a staple for local racing. NASCAR’s takeover of the track operations in 2024 set the stage for a sold-out Clash event, where Chase Elliott captured the victory amid fierce competition.
Joey Dennewitz, managing director of NASCAR Regional, reflected on this significant moment, stating,
“We wrote a new chapter in the storied history of motorsports at Bowman Gray Stadium with the Cook Out Clash this year.”
—Joey Dennewitz, NASCAR Regional Managing Director
Ryan Blaney Welcomes the Clash’s Upcoming Return
The announcement that the 2026 Clash is set to return to Bowman Gray has created anticipation among drivers and fans. The stadium, which surrounds the Winston-Salem State University football field, is scheduled to host the NASCAR preseason exhibition on February 1, marking the beginning of the Cup Series’ FOX Sports broadcast calendar.
Speaking on SiriusXM, Ryan Blaney shared his excitement about the event’s return, saying,
“Absolutely love it! I was hoping they would do that again. I thought it was a huge success earlier this year. I loved running around that place. I think everybody really enjoyed it. I think they put on a really good show, honestly.”
—Ryan Blaney, 2023 NASCAR Cup Series Champion
Blaney’s comments highlight his enthusiasm and appreciation for the quarter-mile track’s challenging layout. During the 2025 Clash, he started in the 23rd and final position but impressively raced up to second place behind Chase Elliott, demonstrating a fierce and strategic drive that caught attention across the NASCAR community.
He elaborated on the race’s dynamic nature, adding,
“There was a lot of passing. There was a lot of tire fall off, so I think it was good they finally got that out there. I see everybody excited about it, as they should be. So that’s great news. I love keeping it there at Bowman Gray, at least for 2-3 years… I’m happy it got a second date.”
—Ryan Blaney
The atmosphere was amplified by a sold-out crowd and an energetic fan base, reaffirming the venue’s place as a unique spectacle in NASCAR’s schedule.
Significance of Event Rotation in NASCAR
The Clash’s resurgence at Bowman Gray displays NASCAR’s strategy to rotate major events to leverage excitement and maintain fan interest. After moving the Clash to the Los Angeles Coliseum in 2022, the race generated unprecedented hype, but enthusiasm waned by 2024. As a result, NASCAR shifted the event back to a more traditional and fan-favorite venue, Bowman Gray.
Ryan Blaney voiced support for this flexible approach, recognizing its benefits for maintaining vibrant fan engagement. He pointed out,
“We talk about rotating the championship weekend, you can rotate that race too, and they’ve done that.”
—Ryan Blaney
This strategy reflects NASCAR’s broader willingness to adapt its calendar and experiment with venues, ensuring the sport remains exciting both on and off the track, while honoring its historical roots.
Another example is the decade-plus hosting of the championship race at Homestead-Miami Speedway, which shifted to Phoenix in 2020. While Phoenix attracts more fans, its racing lacks the drama found at Homestead-Miami, prompting NASCAR’s decision to return the finale to Homestead starting in 2026. This rotation aims to balance crowd size with memorable racing action.
Challenges and Realities of Simulator Racing According to Blaney
Beyond the track, Ryan Blaney has offered candid insights into the role of simulation technology in NASCAR preparation. While simulators have become essential for practice, particularly for road courses, Blaney shared reservations about their effectiveness, especially for oval track racing.
During a Team Blaney Podcast episode, he revealed,
“I think you can learn some bad habits if you’re fully trusting a sim. I mean, it’s just real life to sim work in anything. There’s always going to be a little bit of a disconnect, at least nowadays. Maybe 10 years from now, it’s going to be perfect.”
—Ryan Blaney
Blaney’s experience includes occasional glitches that disrupt his coordination, forcing him to pause simulator sessions. Despite this, he relies on simulators for reference points like gear selection and braking zones, noting,
“It doesn’t happen very often, but yeah, I use a lot for gear reference. Brake points, I feel like, get to be fairly similar.”
—Ryan Blaney
Having used Ford Performance simulators for almost ten years, Blaney spends substantial time preparing for road courses via simulation, especially when practice opportunities are limited. Yet, for his oval track racing, he depends more heavily on data analysis than simulator input, stating,
“Everyone’s a little different. Some guys do SIM, others watch races, and look at data from last year. I’m more kind of a data guy than a SIM guy. But everyone’s a little different.”
—Ryan Blaney
This nuanced perspective highlights the continuing evolution of race preparation technology and the varying approaches among drivers, with Blaney emphasizing that simulators should complement rather than replace traditional data and experience-based strategies.
The Lasting Impact of Bowman Gray’s NASCAR Revival
Bowman Gray Stadium’s return to NASCAR’s premier events signals a revival of classic racing environments characterized by intense short track competition and passionate local fanbases. Ryan Blaney’s endorsement and performance in the 2025 Clash underscored the excitement and competitive edge the venue brings to the Cup Series.
Looking ahead, the planned multi-year return of the Clash to Bowman Gray will likely sustain fan enthusiasm and encourage similar strategic venue rotations in NASCAR’s calendar. This approach balances both tradition and innovation, aiming to deliver memorable moments while honoring motorsport’s deep-rooted history.
As NASCAR continues to embrace these changes and drivers like Blaney openly discuss the evolving tools and tactics involved, the sport seems poised to maintain its dynamic appeal amid growing challenges and expectations.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Has Ryan Blaney ever won Talladega?
A. At the Charlotte Roval race, Blaney secured an eighth-place finish, which moved him into the Round of 12. He then participated in the fall race at Talladega, where he narrowly defeated Ryan Newman by 0.007 seconds in a photo finish. Despite spinning onto pit road earlier in the race, this victory helped him progress to the Round of 8.
Q. Has Ryan Blaney won at Talladega?
A. Blaney won the fall race at Talladega in a close finish, beating Ryan Newman by just 0.007 seconds. Despite spinning onto pit road early in the race, this victory helped him move into the Round of 8.
