WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — Ryan Preece secured a stunning victory Wednesday night in NASCAR’s preseason exhibition Clash, contested on the historic quarter-mile Bowman Gray Stadium, after a race delayed and complicated by snow, rain, and sleet. As drivers struggled with slick conditions and wet tires in the two-hour, 20-minute marathon, Preece’s experience on short tracks from the Northeast propelled him to a breakthrough win in his Cup career.
Though this event did not count toward Cup points, Preece’s triumph was a major milestone for the 35-year-old driver, who had yet to claim a points race victory despite 223 starts. Racing on a rain-soaked quarter-mile track with frequent spins and cautions showcased his ability to navigate chaotic and slippery situations better than the competition.
Preece’s Emotional First Win and Relentless Racing Schedule
Preece’s elation at crossing the finish line first was palpable, reflecting years of hard work in NASCAR’s top tier. With seven top-five finishes but no Cup victory prior, this win marked a turning point for the RFK Racing driver in his second season with the team. His emotion was clear not only on track but in his plans immediately after the race.
Despite the race originally being scheduled for Sunday, a weekend snowstorm postponed it to Wednesday night, compressing Preece’s busy schedule. He intended to travel the seven hours to Florida afterward to compete at New Smyrna Speedway—just south of Daytona—in both late model and modified cars owned by him and his family.
“I’ll celebrate in New Smyrna,” Preece said.
“I race, man. It’s what it’s about. This is going to make that drive a hell of a lot better because seven hours, I figure I’ll get to … New Smyrna about 7 a.m. We’ll just grind it out.”
This statement reveals the grit that helped Preece lead the final 45 laps of the Clash, controlling the race when conditions were at their most treacherous.
Denny Hamlin’s Grit Amidst Personal and Professional Challenges
Fifth-place finisher Denny Hamlin experienced one of the toughest nights in the field, battling through multiple spins and frequent involvement in caution incidents. Hamlin’s resilience was notable given recent hardships, including narrowly losing the Cup championship late in the previous season, a significant antitrust legal fight favoring his 23XI Racing team, and the devastating loss of his father in a house fire that also badly injured his mother.
Hamlin expressed cautious optimism about the coming season despite the chaotic Clash.
“It was a good preseason [race], but I think once we get to Daytona, things will start to get a little bit more normal, things will be a little more serious. And you’ll know the stakes are going to get high here in 10 days [with the Daytona 500],”
Hamlin said.
Fuel Strategy Controversy Raises Questions
The exhibition format included no laps counted under caution, and with 17 caution flags flown—many caused by spins on the slick track—fuel management became a critical and contentious issue. After several drivers ran out of fuel, NASCAR opted to let all competitors pit for refueling during a caution. This decision frustrated teams like Chase Briscoe’s, whose crew chief James Small openly criticized the call.
Briscoe, who led 35 laps but finished sixth, remarked on the confusion surrounding the situation.
“I didn’t know all the circumstances that were going on, but I know James was not thrilled with the situation,”
Briscoe said.
“It definitely after that, it kind of killed me. And a lot of guys were doing adjustments, and you weren’t supposed to be doing adjustments. … Kind of frustrating a little bit.”
William Byron, who ran out of fuel to trigger the caution allowing the refuel wave, also regained his lost positions. Though controversial, these decisions are likely to be discussed but quickly forgotten due to the exhibition nature of the event and the unusual weather conditions.
Daniel Suarez Impresses in New Team Debut
Daniel Suarez, debuting for Spire Motorsports after five seasons with Trackhouse Racing, delivered a strong performance amid the chaotic event. Known for his fiery competitiveness, Suarez did not hold back when racing against former teammates, reflecting his aggressive style on the track.
“I race people the same way they race me,”
Suarez said.
“I love everyone. If they give me love, I give love. If they give me hate, I give hate.”
Challenges of a Winter Race and Future of the Clash Event
The Clash’s location at Bowman Gray Stadium—a city-owned venue that doubles as Winston-Salem State University’s football stadium—generated excitement by returning NASCAR to its short-track roots. However, racing in mid-winter brought challenges this year, including a rare heavy snowstorm delivering over eight inches the weekend before, and race conditions featuring ice pellets and heavy precipitation.
The wet race saw 13 caution flags as drivers spun and wrecked repeatedly on slick surfaces during rain and sleet, resulting in an unpredictable and physically demanding showdown under frigid temperatures.
Ryan Blaney, the 2023 Cup Series champion, acknowledged the difficulties but praised the venue’s capacity to entertain fans even under harsh conditions.
“I don’t think you can judge a race or a track off of that weird weather circumstance,”
Blaney said.
“I think this place, honestly, judging off the first half, put on a good show. Just the way [in the rain], calamity as it would be with anyplace. I appreciate the fans sticking around all night. I bet that was brutal in those aluminum grandstands. Cold asses up there.”
Looking Ahead to Daytona and the Clash’s Future
As the NASCAR Cup Series shifts focus toward the Daytona events, including the high-stakes Daytona 500 just 10 days away, attention will also turn to the future of the Bowman Gray Clash. While the historic venue offers a nostalgic and unique spectacle, the logistical and weather challenges encountered this year raise questions about the event’s scheduling and format as NASCAR continues evolving its preseason programming.
Ryan Preece’s breakthrough victory, along with perseverance shown by drivers like Hamlin, Byron, and Suarez, sets the tone for a competitive season. Meanwhile, the handling of fuel strategies and race management under extreme conditions will likely remain topics of discussion as teams prepare for the intensity of Cup points races ahead.
