The 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium, originally scheduled for this past weekend, has been postponed to Wednesday, February 4 due to historic snowfall in North Carolina. NASCAR has announced the updated schedule for the preseason exhibition-style Clash event, marking the second time the event has been rescheduled.
The NASCAR Cup Series practice and qualifying sessions have also been postponed to Wednesday, ahead of the main event. Unfortunately, heat races had to be canceled due to the weather conditions.
The practice and qualifying sessions are now set to take place from 1:30 to 4:30 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on FOX. Following that, the Last Chance Qualifying Race is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. ET and the 2026 Cook Out Clash at 6 p.m. ET, both of which will also be aired on FOX.
The weather forecast for Wednesday shows a higher chance of rain rather than snow, with a 70% chance of precipitation. Temperatures are expected to range from 43° to 32°.
The qualifying results will determine the 20-driver starting lineups for the Clash and the Last Chance Qualifying Race. The top 20 drivers with the best finishes in the qualifying rounds will secure a spot in the 200-lap main event, while the remaining drivers will compete for two additional spots in the LCQ. The 23rd and final spot is reserved for the driver who finished highest in the 2025 NASCAR Cup Series championship standings and is not already in the main event.
Justin Swilling, the Project Lead of Cook Out Clash, addressed the schedule change in a press release, emphasizing the importance of the fans and the city’s response to the weather conditions.
The complete schedule for Wednesday’s events at Bowman Gray Stadium includes parking lot openings, shuttle services, gates opening, practice and qualifying sessions, the Last Chance Qualifying Race, and the main event.
The starting order for the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium will be determined by the winners and top finishers of the heat races, as well as the winners of the Last Chance Qualifying Race and the driver with the highest finish in the previous year’s championship standings.
In conclusion, the 2026 Cook Out Clash at Bowman Gray Stadium promises to be an exciting event despite the postponements and weather challenges. Fans can look forward to thrilling races and intense competition as NASCAR kicks off its season with this exhibition-style event.
