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NASCAR's Cook Out Clash set to return to Bowman Gray Stadium

Fans gather to watch a race at Bowman Gray Stadium in August 2022.
Paul Garber/WFDD
Fans gather to watch a race at Bowman Gray Stadium in August 2022. The venue will host the Cook Out Clash in January 2026.

NASCAR has announced that the Cook Out Clash will be returning to Bowman Gray Stadium in Winston-Salem to open the 2026 season. The fast food restaurant chain Cook Out, which was founded in Greensboro, will return as the title sponsor.

The 2025 format featured a 200-lap main race with a 22-car field, determined by heats and a Last Chance Qualifier. It was the first time Bowman Gray had hosted NASCAR’s top division in more than 50 years, with Chase Elliott winning over Ryan Blaney.

A cornerstone of NASCAR history, Bowman Gray has held races since 1949, with past Cup events from 1958-1971.

Before his arrival in the Triad, David had already established himself as a fixture in the Austin, Texas arts scene as a radio host for Classical 89.5 KMFA. During his tenure there, he produced and hosted hundreds of programs including Mind Your Music, The Basics and T.G.I.F. Thank Goodness, It's Familiar, which each won international awards in the Fine Arts Radio Competition. As a radio journalist with 88.5 WFDD, his features have been recognized by the Associated Press, Public Radio News Directors Inc., Catholic Academy of Communication Professionals, and Radio Television Digital News Association of the Carolinas. David has written and produced national stories for NPR, KUSC and CPRN in Los Angeles and conducted interviews for Minnesota Public Radio's Weekend America.

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